First anniversary Nepal earthquake

On 25 April 2015, Nepal was struck by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. A second 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck on 12 May 2015. The two earthquakes caused huge devastation, disrupting the lives of 5.6 million people. Figures from the Government of Nepal reported more than 8,800 deaths, 22,000 people injured, 600,000 houses destroyed, and 285,000 houses partially damaged.

CBM has been working with local partners in Nepal for over 30 years. At the time of the earthquake, CBM was supporting nine projects across Nepal. As soon as the earthquake struck, CBM and its local partners responded rapidly to help people with disabilities and injuries. Within one week of the disaster, CBM and partners were already running emergency medical outreach camps.

After conducting a massive emergency operation in the direct aftermath of the earthquake, CBM has continued to work side-by-side with the Nepalese government and local partners to highlight the needs of people with disabilities, through providing access to medical and mental health support. One year on, CBM has reached more than 25,000 people in the worst-hit districts:

• 17,900 people have been treated through outreach camps,
• 3,900 have received rehabilitation services
• 1,100 surgeries have been performed
• 2,425 people have received mental health support

One of the people who CBM have helped is six year old Saurav, he sustained a leg injury when he jumped from a window during a strong aftershock on 22 May 2015. He has received medical care and psychological counselling through a local CBM partner. He is now happy to be home and is back at school. Saurav says “I want to study and become a driver like my father”.

CBM will continue to work through local partners and influence the government on an ongoing basis, to ensure that long-term mainstream relief and the rebuilding of the country’s structures and systems is inclusive of people with disabilities.