In the aftermath of the Great Earthquake of 25 April and in consultation with the Government of Nepal, ICIMOD provided immediate relief support to partners, communities, and families reaching out to areas where it has worked with communities through its projects and pilots.

On 5 May, ICIMOD staff handed over 6,000 kg of rice to the Godavari Municipality Office in Kitini, Lalitpur, for distribution to the neediest households affected by the earthquake. The municipality officials thanked ICIMOD for timely support. They assured that a distribution mechanism has been put in place to ensure that the relief gets to those who need it the most.

A team from ICIMOD visited Sipapokhare VDC, one of the severely affected VDCs of Sindhupalchowk district, to provide relief materials. Sindhupalchok is one of the Water Use Master Plans (WUMPs) pilot district of the Koshi Basin Programme. Food items – 1,500 kilograms of rice, 100 kg lentil, and 100 liters of cooking oil – were distributed to 100 households. This short-term relief of food items is expected to be sufficient for about seven days. Medicines and garments were also delivered.

Another team from ICIMOD visited Gorkha district to provide relief materials to the REDD project partners and local communities. One hundred tarpaulins provided by Marwari Sewa Samiti was jointly distributed by ICIMOD and the Samiti. Additional material support and transport were provided by ICIMOD. The Federation of Community Forest User Group Nepal (FECOFUN) Gorkha District has informed the District Administration Office of this assistance.

On 19 and 20 May, a team from ICIMOD visited four northern VDCs of Sindhuli District – Baseshwor, Bhimeshwor, Jalkanya and Ratanchura – to distribute relief materials. ICIMOD and HELVETAS are collaborating on WUMP pilot studies under the Koshi Basin Program in these VDCs. However, the Chief District Officer suggested to exclude Baseshwor VDC as there were already enough supplies from other organizations. The relief items distributed included 200 bags of rice, 200 kg lentil, 200 lit cooking oil, and 100 tarps for 200 households with about 1,000 people.

Formal and informal meetings were held with VDC authorities, HELVETAS, local NGOs, and local leaders to ensure that the help reaches to the needy people. The team visited the village of Ratatar in Bhimeshwor VDC. Ratatar sits mountain ridges and consists of 25 households of Hyau community, most marginalized and vulnerable community in Sindhuli. All the houses were found completely damaged and people had been living in the temporary sheds. Some innovative households had started building small huts using local materials.

ICIMOD will continue to support needy communities and families.

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