nepal

• Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world, is a low-income country. Nepal is located between China and India in Asia along the Himalayan Mountains.
• In April 2015, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck Nepal. The focus was only 8 kilometres deep, and the epicentre was just 60 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Kathmandu had 800,000+ inhabitants.
• The 2015 Nepal earthquake occurred on a collision plate boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
• Primary effects of Nepal earthquake:

  • 900 died, 19,000 injured.
  • 3 million people were made homeless.
  • Electricity and water supplies were affected.
  • 7000 schools were destroyed.
  • Hospitals were overwhelmed.
  • 50% of shops were destroyed.
  • The cost of the earthquake was US$5 billion.
• Secondary effects of Nepal earthquake:

  • Avalanches and landslides were triggered.
  • 19 people lost their lives on Mount Everest due to avalanches.
  • 250 people were missing due to an avalanche.
  • Tourism employment and income declined.
  • Rice seed ruined, causing food shortage and income loss.
• Immediate responses to Nepal earthquake:

  • India and China provided over $1 billion of international aid.
  • Over 100 search and rescue responders were provided by The UK.
  • Aid workers from charities such as the Red Cross came to help.
  • Temporary housing was provided.
  • Water and medical support arrived quickly from China, the UK and India.
  • 500,000 tents were provided to shelter the homeless.
  • Helicopters rescued people caught in avalanches.
• Long term responses to Nepal earthquake:

  • A $3 million grant was provided for immediate relief efforts and up to $200 million for the first phase of rehabilitation.
  • Many countries donated aid. £70 million was donated by the UK.
  • Landslides were cleared, and roads were repaired.
  • Stricter building codes were introduced.
  • Thousands of homeless people were rehoused.
  • Over 7000 schools were rebuilt.