Earthquake and Aftershocks Leave Thousands Dead and Many More Homeless The massive 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25 and the hundreds of aftershocks that have followed, including a 6.7-magnitude quake on April 26, have left thousands dead, many more homeless and causing widespread destruction. The hardest-hit areas are in the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding districts. The quake has claimed over 3,500 lives and injured more than 8,000 people, with many more still unaccounted for. Rescue efforts are underway, but face numerous challenges due to damaged roads and lack of access to remote areas. The April 25 earthquake was the strongest to hit Nepal in over 80 years, and its impact has been exacerbated by poor construction, with many buildings unable to withstand the tremors. Nepal’s government has declared a state of emergency and appealed for international aid. The UN has warned that the death toll could rise significantly as rescue teams reach remote areas. The earthquake has also caused widespread damage to historic sites and cultural heritage in Kathmandu. UNESCO has pledged to support the Nepal government in assessing and protecting the country’s cultural heritage. Children who have lost their schools and friends are learning to cope with their trauma. "I was in my classroom when the earthquake struck," said 14-year-old Prakash. "I was lucky to have escaped, but my school was totally destroyed," Prakash is now taking classes in a temporary shelter. Many children like Prakash have lost their schools and are struggling to come to terms with the disaster. The psychological impact of the disaster on children is a major concern. Counselors are working with children to help them cope with their trauma. The government and aid agencies are working to provide support to affected communities. The road to recovery will be long and challenging for Nepal. But with international support and aid, the country is determined to rebuild and recover.
In a recent interview with Haneul (Korean) on January 31st, Ayushiji Joshi, the head of the Save the Children Nepal program, shared the harrowing story of a girl from Naukot, one of the areas worst hit by Nepal’s recent floods. Joshi recounted how the young girl had lost her closest four friends to the floodwaters and had trouble sleeping due to her sorrow.
Despite not crying or being separated from her family, the girl was overwhelmed by her grief. Joshi also noted that many children in the area were still struggling with lack of proper clothing and hygiene facilities at their temporary shelters.
The 2015 Nepal earthquake had already left a lasting psychological impact on the population, and this recent flood has only exacerbated the crisis. UNESCO reported that around 62,000 children were affected by the floods, with 28 schools damaged or destroyed, impacting 1,891,800 students. The total death toll from the floods reached nearly 900, including at least 37 children.
In Naukot, the child development rate had already been 32% lower than average, and malnutrition rates stood at 12.1%, which is expected to worsen in the shelters due to inadequate sanitation and medical services.
International aid organizations are providing immediate relief and support for education recovery. World Vision is focused on providing food, clean drinking water, sanitation facilities, and safe shelters in Naukot's Bhudura village. Save the Children is setting up child-friendly spaces and temporary learning spaces in 11 temporary shelters. Ayushiji emphasized the need for long-term support to rebuild schools and provide mental health support for children.
Written by urgent.news from Hankyoreh's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
