A devastating 5.6-magnitude earthquake rocked western Nepal just before midnight on Friday 3rd November, killing over 150 people and leaving many more without homes or shelter.

The epicentre was in the remote Jajarkot district, with the most damage seen there and in neighbouring West Rukum.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Nepal, although the death toll is much higher than usual on this occasion due to the strength of the quake and because it struck overnight when many people would have been sleeping in their homes. The last time there were more fatalities was the major earthquake in 2015, which killed about 9,000 people.

We are checking on the safety and wellbeing of our partners in Nepal, especially those working in districts closest to the epicentre.

Earthquake damage in Jajarkot district, near the epicentre (Kathmandu Post)

Krishna Adhikari, Executive Director of INF Nepal, said: “The earthquake’s impact was severe, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 157 lives and injuring approximately 480 individuals in the affected areas. The tremors were felt as far away as the capital, Kathmandu.

“In response to this catastrophe, Nepal’s Right Honourable President, Ramchandra Paudel, has called upon all concerned and relevant parties to coordinate and expedite effective rescue and relief efforts in the affected regions. However, communication and access to remote areas near the epicentre were hampered due to landslides blocking roads

“The INF team has promptly engaged with the Karnali Province and District Disaster Response teams to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts. Despite the challenges of limited connectivity and access in the region, the team is committed to gaining a clearer understanding of the damages and immediate needs.

“INF has taken proactive measures by organising emergency planning meetings involving teams from Pokhara and Surkhet. INF has mobilised two staff from the Surkhet office to Jajarkot for initial assessment and district-level coordination. INF is also mobilising a team of medical personnel and others with immediate relief items, including food and non-food packages, to the earthquake-affected areas.”

Responding to the earthquake

The Nepali partner organisations that INF UK works with are experienced in providing emergency relief following natural disasters – including the 2015 earthquake, and floods and landslides caused by Nepal’s annual monsoon season – so they are currently assessing the role they can play in coordination with the Government of Nepal’s response and alongside other aid organisations.

The initial emergency health response is underway to save people who are still trapped and treating the injured.

The response and recovery that follows over the coming weeks and months is where our partners will play their part:

• Food and other essential supplies to sustain those in need.
• Temporary shelters for people whose homes have been destroyed of damaged.
• As Nepal enters its winter months between now and February, people will also need help in keeping warm as temperatures drop.

Praying for Nepal

Please pray for:

• All those affected, especially those in mourning, living in fear of aftershocks, the injured, and those who have lost their homes or livelihoods.
• The first responders, including local healthcare services, those helping search for survivors, and treating the injured.
• Our partners as they provide the necessary support to meet urgent needs and help communities recover over the coming weeks and months.

Top image: My Republica