Nepal – The Big Rebuild

Following the first earthquake on 25th April, and the second on 12th May, the relief effort to rebuild Nepal is a slow but sure one.

Over 8,000 lives have been lost, historical buildings destroyed and the landscape changed forever, but those that survived are forced to pick themselves up and carry on as best as they can. Thousands have been left injured and homeless without food and shelter. Families with small children are forced to sleep on the streets. Hospital staff are trying to keep up with the demand of the sick and injured, even when they have limited supplies or the hospitals no longer stand as bricks and mortar.

Not only human civilians, but animals including livestock and pets have suffered as a result of the earthquakes. Villages and streets have altered entirely, now covered in rubble and some wiped away altogether. Children can no longer attend their school for lessons, adults have lost the livelihoods that put food on the table, and men, women and children have lost loved ones.

Thankfully, they do not have to deal with the aftermath alone. There is aid going to Nepal to try and help survivors. Supplies including food, shelter and medicines are reaching rural towns and villages, children’s clubs have been set up to provide education, and there are safe spaces for women and children to go so they are not at risk.

What You Can Do

All of these things require donations from us and you to help continue the relief effort. ActionAid have set up a Nepal earthquake appeal, where you can donate as much as you like. £30 is enough to give blankets to a family made homeless, £50 provides tents for people forced to sleep on the street, and £100 can buy emergency supplies for up to 12 people.

Visit ActionAid’s fundraising page to donate to the Nepal relief effort

Words by Charlotte Mellor

Images courtesy of Srikanth Kolari, Prashanth Vishwanathan and ActionAid