Overview

In November 2023, a powerful earthquake struck western Nepal, killing at least 157 people, affecting around 38,000 families and damaging or destroying approximately 30,000 homes. While much of the immediate relief focused on the epicentre in Jajarkot and Rukum West, families in other affected districts also faced severe shortages of shelter and basic supplies. The RESPOND project was initiated in two phases to address these needs and support longer-term recovery.

Phase I provided emergency winter survival support to earthquake-affected families in Darma Rural Municipality, Salyan, and Chaurjahari Municipality–6, Rukum. Following a needs assessment with the community, 500 family members received tents, quilts, blankets, winter clothing, mattresses, and sanitation and hygiene kits. Essential protective supplies, including masks, sanitizers, gloves and windcheaters, were also provided to frontline health workers. This assistance helped families without safe shelter cope with freezing temperatures and continued aftershocks.

Phase II focused on strengthening health services in Rolpa by improving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in six health facilities. The project aimed to turn post-earthquake recovery into an opportunity to build back better, improving safe water, sanitation, hygiene and infection prevention for health workers and communities. The upgraded facilities serve an estimated 224,793 people across the district, while improvements in toilets, handwashing, water supply and waste management also support dignified menstruation and safer working conditions for health staff.

Major improvements included a new water treatment plant at District Hospital Liwang, inaugurated in June 2024, providing safe drinking water for around 150,000 people who use the hospital annually. Other upgrades included improved toilets and handwashing facilities at the District Health Office; safer delivery and waste-management facilities at Dhabang Health Post; repairs and sanitation improvements at Khumel Health Post; a new two-room building and upgraded water and sanitation facilities at Lingdung Basic Health Service Center; and improved tiling and water storage at Mirul Health Post.

Through RESPOND I and II, BNMT combined immediate humanitarian assistance with longer-term investment in safer, more resilient health facilities, helping earthquake-affected communities recover while strengthening essential health services for the future.