latest Earthquake operation update (narrative)

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Emergency Operation Update 1 - 26 May 2015

Earthquake Operation Update Date of issue: 26 May 2015; Period covered: 25 April – 25 May 2015 Information sources: NRCS District and Sub-Chapters The information and figures in this report are provided by the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) district chapters, by NRCS sector focal points deployed from headquarters, as well as from Emergency Response Units (ERUs) established by Movement partners. It aims to cover the totality of assistance provided by NRCS during the reporting period, supported financially or technically by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), Partner National Societies (PNS), the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), UN, non-government organizations (NGOs) and corporate partners. It is also used as a key source of information for reports to be published by IFRC, which will provide further information & analysis on the IFRC-specific support to the operation, to meet reporting requirements for the IFRC appeal. IFRC operations updates are available here. Discussions are ongoing about establishing a Movement-wide planning, monitoring and reporting system for this operation.

Overview of the situation An earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitudes struck an area between Kathmandu and Pokhara on 25 April 2015. The epicenter was 80 Kilometer northwest of Kathmandu but its impact was felt in 39 of Nepal’s 75 districts. A series of aftershocks have continued to impact, causing further damage and panic. The strongest aftershock, measuring 7.3 magnitudes, struck on 12 May at 12:50 local time. The disasters have affected 57 districts, 1120 village development committees (VDCs) and 71 municipalities. Many of the hardest-hit areas are rural, with some of them remote and difficult to reach, including because of landslides and damaged/blocked access routes.

Loss due to earthquake (source: NRCS situation update as of 25 May 2015). The Government of Nepal (GoN) activated National Emergency Center (NEOC) and has been coordinating the overall response operation in the country. The GoN declared a State of Emergency on 25 April and appealed for humanitarian assistance across the region. The government also allocated budget from its emergency fund for carrying out the relief activities and established camps for displaced people. Nepal Red Cross Society is the largest humanitarian organization in the country and auxiliary to Government. Following the earthquake, the National Society's Emergency Response Committee (ERC)1 activated the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) at headquarters. The EOC immediately commenced coordination of response activities in the affected areas. National Disaster Response Team (NDRT), District Disaster Response (DDRT) and Central Executive Committee (CEC) members were immediately deployed in the affected districts for initial assessment and rendering services. The IFRC allocated CHF 500,000 from its Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) and launched an Emergency Appeal (EA) of 33.4 million CHF to support NRCS is carrying out relief operation. The Emergency 1 ERC is the NRCS high level committee comprising of NRCS Chairman, Secretary General, Treasurer General, Executive Director and Director/Head of Disaster Management department

8,633People Dead 17,932 People Injured 651,675 Families Internally Displaced

Killed, injured and displaced thousands of people/families

Extensive destruction of infrastructures and livestock

More than 1.2 million families directly affected

7.8 magnitude earthquake on 25 April, epicenter in Gorkha A second earthquake measuring 7.3 magnitudes on 12 May, epicenter in Dolakha

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Appeal was revised in the mid May and made it CHF 84.9 million to intensify relief and rehabilitation efforts. Number of people to be assisted: 700,000 people (140,000 families) over 24 months. The NRCS through its staff and network of trained volunteers and with the support of IFRC and other Red Cross Red Crescent (RCRC) Movement and non-Movement partners have been rendering services in emergency shelter; non-food relief items (NFRIs) distribution; health and care (first aid, blood transfusion, psychological first aid, health treatment); water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH), and food distribution, restoring family links. The Situation The earthquake on 25 April and its strongest aftershock on 12 May, have affected 57 districts, 1,120 VDCs and 71 municipalities. Out of them, 14 districts are severely affected districts. The Government of Nepal (GoN) has categorized them as 'A'. The A-Category districts include Gorkha, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Sindhupalchowk, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhuli, Okhaldhunga, Makwanpur, and Kavrepalanchowk. Additional nine districts (Sangja, Chitwan, Kaski, Tanahu, Khotang, Solukhumbu, Udayapur, Bhojpur and Lumjung) have reported medium level damages. They have been categorized as 'B'. The combined number of causalities (from the 25 April quake and the 12 May aftershock) is massive, with the death toll expected to increase as search and retrieval operations comb through collapsed structures. So far, 8,633 people have been confirmed dead and 17,932 people injured. Refer to table 1 for the summary of the situation. In addition to loss of life and human suffering, the two quakes have caused extensive destruction and damage to housing, lifelines, other infrastructure and livelihoods, leading to a drastic reduction in living conditions, income, and access to basic services. More than 1.2 million families (Around 6 million people) have been affected directly by the quakes. Initial rapid assessment data of NRCS indicate that at least 543,258 houses are damaged. The infrastructure impacted includes schools, water and sanitation facilities, bridges and roads. Similarly, more than 600 temples, statues and museums across the country were damaged, including Kathmandu's 200-foot Dharahara Tower, built in 1832, which collapsed (source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/usgs-says-strong-aftershocks-possible-in-nepal-in-next-7-days/article1-1349278.aspx).

Table 1: Situation (as of 25 May 2015)Details Figures

No. of affected districts 57 No. of affected VDCs 1,120 No. of affected municipalities 71 Dead 8,633 Injured 17,932 Affected families 1,126,422 Displaced families 651,675 Fully damaged households 543,258 Partially damaged households 307,919 No. of school buildings destroyed 4,085 Source: NRCS district chapters, DDRC and Ministry of Home Affairs

Key achievements to date by NRCS with support of IFRC and other Movement and non-Movement Partners

Approx . 33,000 people reached with health services and 132,000

people covered by health promotion and distribution.

More than 7,000 staff and volunteer

deployments

Emergency Operation Center Activated at headquarters and district chapters

67,140 emergency shelter items

distributed for approx. 331,000 people.

Ready to eat food for approx. 20,000 people, other food for approx.

1,200,000 people

More than 2,500

people with RFL

585,178 WASH items distributed for approx. 260,000 people with

WASH

More than 150 global / regional

surge staff deployed

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Destruction of buildings in Kathmandu in due to earthquake Photo: Basanta Shrestha, NRCS

The risk of further tremors and aftershocks remains relatively high in the region, with more potential damage to the structures (including those of the National Society buildings) hit by the initial quake. Following the earthquake on April 25, the GoN immediately activated its National Emergency Operation Center and convened a meeting of its Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC) and declared a State of Emergency and appealed for humanitarian assistance across the region. The government also allocated funding from its emergency fund for carrying out the relief activities and established camps for displaced people. Ministry of Information and Communications announced cabinet’s endorsement of a short-term relief package which includes a 15,000 Nepalese rupees grant (approx.CHF150) for people to build temporary shelter before monsoon season. Furthermore, the government has decided to provide up to NPR 200,000 (approx. CHF 1,781) for families whose house had been completely destroyed and NPR 25,000 (approx. CHF 223) for those who want to repair their damaged houses. The affected people can also apply for a bank loan at 2% to rebuild or repair their damaged houses. The government will provide up to NPR 300,000 (approx. CHF 2,671) for earthquake-hit public schools to make temporary arrangements for classes (Source: www.drrportal.gov.np) Altogether 16 camps have been established in the Kathmandu valley. The number of people in the camps had started to reduce after couple of weeks of the 25 April earthquake but adverse weather conditions and major aftershocks, including the 12 May quake, have caused an influx of people to existing or new camps in the affected places. The 12 May quake caused panic and many people have opted to stay in open spaces, with some existing camps now having to accommodate additional people. Impact of earthquake on NRCS • Death of one staff and two volunteers while they were engaged in mobile blood collection in Kathmandu. • Affected NRCS's district chapters and sub-chapters as well as the blood banks infrastructures heavily in 15

districts. • Damaged NRCS Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS) buildings after the strongest aftershock on 12

May. The CBTS team has been providing service from the premises of Mahendra Police Club in Kathmandu.

Immediate need in the earthquake affected districts: • Emergency food; • Relief (non-food items – NFIs and cash grants) including immediate essential household non food

items, cash grants, tarpaulins and tents; • Shelter and settlements including emergency shelter and repairs or rebuilding of houses; • Livelihoods • Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion (WASH); • Health interventions focusing on provision of immediate medical management to the injured and ill,

filling gaps resulting from damaged health facilities; disease prevention, health promotion and psychosocial support (PSS);

• RFL and dignified management of the dead in the districts affected by the earthquake,

Given the vulnerable situation of the affected population, there is a risk for outbreaks especially for water borne diseases. There is a need for immediate and medium term health promotion, disease prevention and surveillance activities at community level. Medium and long term need: Reconstruction of all infrastructures, community based disaster risk reduction, health and care, livelihoods

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Red Cross and Red Crescent action In the immediate aftermath of the 25 April earthquake, NRCS activated the Emergency Operation Centre at headquarters and several district chapters to coordinate the response operation. NRCS governance, staff, volunteers engaged fully in coordinating and rendering response services in all affected areas. Summary of the volunteer mobilization has been provided in table 2. IFRC launched Emergency Appeal to support NRCS is carrying out relief operation. This Emergency Appeal seeks CHF 84.9 million to support the NRCS in delivering humanitarian assistance to 700,000 people (140,000 families affected by earthquakes. The Emergency Appeal and Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) is available here. The appeal target to deliver humanitarian assistance (shelter, ready to eat food, health and care, water and sanitation, livelihood and recovery activities) to 700,000 people (140,000 families) affected by the 25 April and 12 May 2015 earthquakes. List of the partners who have contributed in this Appeal has been provided here. This section of the report provides a detailed summary of achievements so far according to the objectives, indicators and activities set out in the revised EPoA mentioned above. In the first month of the operation, NRCS is focusing on the lsaving activities such as first aid, emergency health and care, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion, food distribution, emergency shelter as well as psychosocial service and restoring family links.

Quality programming Outcome 1: Effective response to the disaster is ensured Output 1.1: Ongoing operation is informed by continuous and detailed assessment and analysis is conducted to identify needs and gaps and select beneficiaries for rendering relief services Output 1.2: The management of the operation is informed by a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation system Output 1.3: Mechanisms are in place to facilitate two-way communication with and ensure transparency and accountability to disaster-affected people Sector Indicators

Target2 Achievement Achievement%

# of volunteers deployments3 - 7,000 - # of individuals mobilized s part of regional/global tools4. - 144 Planned activities Status of implementation 1.1.1 Mobilize National Society staff and volunteers for assessments.

NRCS mobilized staff and volunteers (NDRT, DDRT and other sector volunteers) to carry out initial and detail assessments

1.1.2 Mobilize/deploy regional and global tools to support NRCS in conducting assessments.

IFRC has deployed its global disaster response tools as well as surge capacity from various

2 Target means here the target of the earthquake operation. Although the operation is of 24 months, different sectors/activities have different timeline. Please refer to EPoA page No. 12-28 for the activity calendar 3 The original indicator in the EPoA is: # of volunteers mobilized. The number of volunteer mobilization data is being received from districts. NRCS will report on # of volunteers mobilized from next report, 4 This is the revised indicator. It is #of regional/global tool mobilized

NRCS volunteers conducting hand washing demonstration session in Nuwakot

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Secretariat offices. Refer to table 2 for more information.

1.1.3 Undertake assessments to determine specific needs of beneficiaries

NRCS has completed both initial rapid assessment of all the affected district and the assessment in the 23 priority districts (Category A and B)

1.1.4 Undertake assessments to identify capacities of the National Society to respond to the disaster Not started yet 1.1.5 Develop detailed response plans with activities that will meet identified beneficiary needs. Emergency plan of action has been developed. 1.1.6 Ensure that any adjustments to initial plans are informed by continuous assessment of needs and through established feedback mechanisms. It is a continuous process. 1.1.7 Conduct post-action surveys to determine the level of satisfaction among beneficiaries.

Will carry out once the immediate relief activities is completed

1.2.1 Develop and utilize a comprehensive M&E system to support monitoring of the operation progress.

NRCS and IFRC PMER team are team working together for establishing proper planning, M&E and reporting system in the operation.

1.3.1 Provide appropriate information, including on the scope and content of projects, to disaster affected people through NRCS, partner mass communication channels and other media.

• Has been issuing stories and news in the NRCS and IFRC website and social media such as face books and twitter

• Broadcasting of earthquake impact and Red Cross activities through Red Cross radio programme and FM stations and television and press media throughout the country

• Daily situation update • Press release

Comments

• Activities 1.3.2, 1.3.3 and 1.4.1 from EPoA will be started from the second quarter of operation only. • NRCS has deployed first aid, rescue team, NDRT, PSS, DDRT, WASH and RFL, other volunteers for

evacuation, assessment and relief distributions. Refer to table 2 for the summary of volunteers deployment. NRCS staff and volunteers also provided spontaneous assistance in affected communities, including caring for and transporting the injured, helping out as caregivers in medical facilities and setting up temporary shelters.

• The National Society have completed the initial rapid assessment of the all the affected districts. The NRCS has begun detailed assessments and beneficiary registration for relief items (tarpaulins and NFI/Shelter kits/Cash) across 23 districts (category A and B districts). These assessments are taking place in VDCs selected by Red Cross branch representatives and district officials.

• Volunteers are visiting every household in a VDC and filling out a detailed assessment form that collects several data points. During these visits beneficiaries are also issued registration cards. These activities require significant data entry, as each household assessment is paper-based and collects over 20 data points on beneficiaries. This data will then be sent-up to headquarters for processing and beneficiary prioritization.

• Relief and FACT Information Management are working to ensure this data is analysed and processed as efficiently as possible so that distributions are not delayed. Based on the detail assessment report, NRCS will distribute more relief items and carry out shelter and livelihood activities in the districts

Table 2: NRCS volunteers, and IFRC global and regional tools (ERUs, RDRT5s, FACT, and HEOPS6) and surge capacities deployments Summary NRCS responders/volunteers Type of volunteers No. of deployments/

volunteers Remarks

First aid volunteers 4,276 deployments CADRE7 678 - NDRT 76 persons

5 Regional Disaster Response Team, 6 Head of Emergency Operation 7 CADRE-Community Action for Disaster Response, NRCS's community based first responders

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PSS 36 persons DDRT 170 persons RFL 140 deployments WASH 214 persons Other volunteers 2,151 deployments IFRC global tools as well surge capacity mobilized Team (as of 08 May 2015) No. of people Supporting RCRC Partners IFRC surge8 11 Multiple Shelter cluster 113 Multiple FACT 17 Multiple RDRT 19 Multiple Logistics ERU 6 Swiss Red Cross Logistics ERU 6 Jointly by Finnish and Danish Red Cross IT/Telecoms ERU 5 Jointly by New Zealand and American Red Cross BHC ERU with surgical capacity

15 Jointly by Japanese and Hong Kong Red Cross

Basic health care ERU with maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) capacity

~30 Jointly by Canadian and Philippines Red Cross

Rapid deployment hospital 34 Jointly by Norwegian and Hong Kong Red Cross Relief ERU 6 Jointly by American and Danish Red Cross MSM20 6 British Red Cross MSM20 6 Spanish Red Cross Relief (Food) Outcome 2:Immediate food needs of the disaster affected population are met

Output 2.1: Targeted families provided with ready-to-eat food in the identified districts. Sector Indicators

Target Achievement Achieveme

nt%# of families provided with ready-to-eat food 14,000 4,000 29

Planned activities

Status of implementation

No. of estimated

people benefited

2.1.1 Provide orientation on procurement and distribution protocols to the district leaders; ensure procurement. Ongoing N/A9 2.1.2 Mobilize volunteers and provide orientation on distribution protocols. Ongoing N/A

2.1.3 Identify, register, verify and mobilize beneficiaries for food distributions. Ongoing N/A

2.1.4 Prepare and disseminate beneficiary and stakeholders communications (including feedback/complaint system).

Ongoing N/A

Comments

From Emergency Appeal: Table 3: People reached through food distribution

Service provided No. of families

No. of people reached

Rice (10 Kg per family)- 229,930

1,149,650

Food package (each pack contain 2-20 Kg rice pulses -1-3 Kg, sugar -1-3 Kg; flour -3 Kg, oil-1-3 liter depending on

place and donor)

6,585

32,925

Ready to eat food ( noodles – 1 cartoon, 4,000 20,000

8 swift deployment of experienced person 9 N/A-Not applicable

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• Considering the scarcity of food, the NRCS has taken initiatives to provide ready-to-eat food (REF) for 14,000 families in the 14 severely affected districts (category A). In addition, district chapters have distributed REF collected locally from different donors and groceries. From bilateral support and non –Movement partners :

• NRCS has also started distribution of 10 kg rice per family to affected families in seven districts (Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Dhading, Rasuwa, Kavre, Dolakha and Gorkha) with the support of World Food Programme (WFP).

Refer to table 3 for number of people reached through food distribution.

beaten rice -2 kg , Water – 5 bottles, Salt- 1 Pkt, Sugar- 500 gm)- IFRC

Immediate household needs, shelter and settlements Emergency/relief phase Outcome 3: The immediate household, shelter and settlement needs of the target population are met.

Output 3.1: Target population is provided with essential household items and unconditional cash grantsOutput 3.2: Target population is provided with emergency shelter assistance. Sector Indicators

Target Achievement Achievement

% # of families reached with relief cash transfers 40,000 - - # of families provided with emergency shelter items (1 tarpaulin to each family)

110,000 63,528

58

# of families provided with essential household item kits 60,000

2,732 5

Activities planned Status of implementation

No. of estimated

people benefited

3.1.1 Mobilize volunteers and provide orientation on distribution protocols and cash transfer programming. Discuss has started in NRCS - 3.1.2 Identify, register, verify and mobilize beneficiaries for relief and cash transfers. Ongoing - 3.1.3 Distribute non-food items (two types of NFIs) to 60,000 families. So far NRCS has distributed 2,732 non-

food relief items (NFRI) set.

13,660

3.1.4 Provide unconditional cash grants to 40,000 families.

The modality, the cash transfer value and the delivery mechanism have been designed

-

3.1.5. Develop and disseminate IEC materials on unconditional cash grants.

Preliminary beneficiary communications approaches are being designed

-

3.1.6 Carry out market assessment and monitoring (in conjunction with the Cash Working Group).

Rapid market assessment Trader Surveys designed with the Cash Working group and translated into Nepali

-

3.2.1 Mobilize volunteers and provide orientation on distribution protocols.

Commenced -

3.2.2 Identify, register, verify and mobilize beneficiaries for emergency shelter assistance.

Ongoing N/A

3.2.3 Distribute immediate emergency shelter relief (1 tarpaulin to 110,000 affected families).

So far, NRCS has distributed 63,528 tarpaulins and 2,612 tents

330,700

3.2.4. Distribute shelter kits (2 tarpaulins and 1 tool kit) to 40,000 families.

So far, NRCS has distributed 1,000 shelter kits/ shelter box in Sindhupalchowk district with the support from UK AID

5,000

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3.2.5 Develop safe shelter messages and technical guidelines on the construction of emergency shelter.

Safe shelter message has been prepared and sent for printing. This will be distributed in the affected districts.

N/A

3.2.6 Provide technical orientations to volunteers for the construction of emergency shelter (with IEC materials, build back better).

Shelter sensitization workshop on safer tarpaulin fixing techniques has been planned in the last week of May 2015 for 20 staff and volunteers who already have received shelter training

N/A

3.2.7 Provide technical orientations to beneficiaries on the construction of emergency shelters (with IEC materials).

Planned for last week of May following the shelter sensitization workshop.

N/A

Comments

• In the initial phase, NRCS has been distributing tarpaulin, NFRI and blankets to the people affected by earthquake, especially to

The families displaced by fully damaged or partially damaged houses or fear Large number of people living in the defined location in open spaces Women, children, elders, disable living in open spaces

The IFRC is currently working with NRCS and shelter/NFI cluster to determine effective support, beyond the provision of emergency shelter item. The cash grant value of the NFI plus shelter kit has been calculated using the Minimum Expenditure basket methodology to meet immediate needs not provided in kind. This is a one off unconditional cash grant to targeted households.

• Data of shelter and settlements vulnerability assessment has started to receive from districts. Bhaktapur has

almost been completed. More information expected to come in over the following days, district by district, after assessments have been completed.

• The selection criteria for shelter beneficiaries of relief and recovery phases are being developed by the shelter team and this need to be further developed with NRCS.

Local authorities requested a flexible approach to shelter assistance, taking into consideration differences in traditional housing. Minimum shelter standards were developed to guide responders. UN General Assembly emphasizes the importance of integrating a gender perspective into the earthquake response. Humanitarian partners consider increased roll-out of cash programming in remote communities with functional markets. Note: Most of the activities under following outcomes have been planned from third quarter onwards of the operation: Outcome 4: The target population has attained durable shelter solutions Outcome 5: Livelihoods are restored among affected population.

Health and Care Outcome 6: The immediate and medium-term risks to the health of affected populations are reduced.

NRCS volunteers involving in assessment in the affected districts

NRCS volunteers distributing ready to eat food in Dolakha district

People living under the tarpaulin received from NRCS

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Output 6.1: Target population is provided with rapid medical management of injuries and diseases Output 6.2: Gaps in medical infrastructure of the affected population are filled. Output 6.3: Target population is provided with community-based disease prevention, epidemic preparedness, and health promotion measures. Output 6.4: Community members as well as Red Cross staff and volunteers in affected communities are provided with psychosocial support Sector Indicators

Target Achievement Achievement

% # of health facilities (ERU or other) established N/A10 8 100 # of patients treated in the established health facilities

N/A 9,645 -

# of people reached by community-based health activities

N/A 4,068 -

# of emergency response health kit prepositioned

- 45 -

# of patients provided with first aid services N/A 6,136 - # of people reached by psychosocial support N/A 3,013 - Activities Status of implementation

No. of estimated people benefited

6.1.1 Deploy 3 health Emergency Response Unit (ERU) Ongoing (Refer to table 4 for detail) 9,645 6.1.2 Prepare and mobilize pool of volunteers as first aiders in the affected communities.

No. of first aid volunteers deployments -4,276 -

6.1.3 Recruit volunteering non-remunerate blood donors and organizing blood donation campaigns. Ongoing - 6.2.1 Provide ERU level (L1) and level (L2) services in support of local health care facilities in Rasuwa and Sindupalchok districts.

Ongoing

6.3.1 Orient and mobilize a pool of volunteers for community-based disease prevention, epidemic preparedness, and health promotion activities in coordination with WatSan and other partners.

Mibilized community based health and first aid (CBHFA) facilitators to deliver health and hygiene promotion massage and hand washing demonstration activities in five districts (Sindhupalchock, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha).

4,068

6.3.2 Undertake rapid surveys to determine baseline levels of awareness on disease prevention and health behavior in affected communities.

Not started yet -

6.3.3 Social mobilization of NRCS volunteers in special health campaigns such as measles vaccination.

In five districts ( Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dhading, Gorkha and Dolakha)

634

6.3.4 Prepositioning of emergency response kits such as oral rehydration point (ORPs) in identified strategic locations.

45 emergency health kit have been prepositioned at headquarters

-

6.3.5 Procure and distribute female dignity kit including condoms as part of the health emergency

No report from health sector

6.4.1 Orient and mobilize existing psychological first aid (PFA)/psychosocial support volunteers in Kathmandu valley and in 5 other affected districts.

Altogether 36 PFA/PSS volunteers mobilized in 10 districts (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur,Sindhupalchowk, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dolakha, Dhading, Gorkha and Gulmi).

4,013

6.4.2 Train and mobilise PFA volunteers in affected areas.

Planned for second quarter of the operation

6.4.3 Conduct sport/recreational activities for children (child friendly places) and establish helpdesk at headquarters and affected districts, and establish referral pathways for those with

Child friendly spaces have been established in four districts (Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha) to engage children in different activities

700

10 N/A- not applicable

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special psychological needs to professional practitioners.

such as playing and drawing.

6.4.4 Support the referral mechanism to mental health services.

No report received from health sector -

6.4.5 Procure and distribute locally adapted PSS kits.

Six PSS kits have been procured and distributed in child friendly space.

-

Comments

• NRCS health sector has been coordinating health activities in the country. IFRC FACT/RDRT and the ERUs have been working together with NRCS to provide immediate health service in worst affected districts. Detail of the ERUs and National Societies medical team has been given in table 4. In addition, Bhaktapur district chapter organized health camp in coordination with district health office in the camps.

• NRCS Sindhupalchock, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading and Gorkha district chapters established help desk to provided psychosocial support to the people affected by the earthquake.

• Central Blood Transfusion Service (CBTS) has been collecting around 300 pints blood and supplying100 to 300 pints blood every day. The CBTS and other blood banks have been providing the blood and its products to the earthquake affected people without any processing and testing charge. So far, 517 people affected by the earthquake have received this service. NRCS has started service from the emergency blood bank in Lalitpur. As the earthquake has damaged CBTS buildings, the team has been providing its service from Mahendra Police Club premises.

• A total of 25,000 information education and communication (IEC) materials (posters, leaflets) were distributed in 16 camp sites in Kathmandu valley, and Dhadhing, Sindhupalchowk, Rasuwa, Nuwakot districts. Similarly, Red Cross volunteers are being mobilized to disseminate health and hygiene message focusing on hand washing and preparation of use of latrines and use of ORS. NRCS volunteers are well placed to address the community management of acute malnutrition. There is a need to develop a concept NRCS and pilot a community level nutrition programming and link it to the community resilience programing.

Note: Most of the activities under the following outcome will start from third quarter of the operation: Outcome 7: The medium-term risks to the health of affected populations are reduced. Table 4: Detail of ERUs and National Societies medical services (as of 20 May 2015) Partner National Societies

Location Type of Emergency Response Unit/Service

Total number of patients reached

Norwegian Red Cross Chautara, Sindupalchowk Rapid Deployment Hospital with surgical capacity

725

Canadian Red Cross Dhunche, Rasuwa

Basic Health Care ERU with Minor surgical capacity and Maternal and Child Health care. mobile clinic

855

Khukondole, Tatopani Sindhupalchowk

108

Japanese Red Cross Melamchi, Sindupalchok Basic Health Care ERU 2,637 Qatar Red Crescent Trishuli Hospital, Nuwakot Basic Health Care Unit 3,446 Singapore Red Cross Trishuli Hospital, Nuwakot Basic Health Care Unit with the Qatar Red

Crescent team South Korean Red Cross

Shanghachowk, Sindhupalchowk

Mobile Health Clinics 1,535 Psychological First aid 339

Red Cross of China Salyantar, Dhading Basic Health Care - Italian Red Cross Jiri, Dolakha A team of trauma specialist and nurses

from Italian Red Cross were deployed with coordination of Ministry of Home Affairs

--

Total 9,645

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Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Emergency/relief phase Outcome 8: Risk of waterborne, water-related and vector-borne diseases in targeted communities reduced. Output 8.1: Target population is provided with daily access to safe water which meets Sphere and WHO standards Sector Indicators

Target Achievement Achievement%

# of people provided with access to safe water 200,000 36,760 18 # of people provided with access to emergency sanitation facilities 200,000 7,200 4 # of litres safe water distributed - 630,000 - # of people reached by hygiene promotion activities 200,000 480 - # of families provided with hygiene kits 40,000 4,176

10

Planned activities Status of implementation

No. of estimated

people benefited

8.1.1 Setup of temporary water distribution points in affected communities.

Set up temporary water distribution point Sindhupalchowk , Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Rasuwa, Tanahu, Khatang, Gorkha -

8.1.2 Distribute safe water in affected communities.

NRCS distributed water in Kathmandu, Bhakatapur, Lalitpur, Sindhupalchwok, Gorkha -

8.1.3 Collaborate with the relief sector in providing safe water storage containers to target families.

Distribution of bucket (1,088 pieces) jar/ jerry can (1,174 pieces) in nine districts (Kathamandu, Lalitpur, Shidhupalchowk, Dolakha, Nuwakot, Gorkha, Bhaktapur, Dhading, Kavrepalanchok)

11,310

8.1.4 Rehabilitate/construct water points in affected communities.

Not started yet -

8.2.1 Mobilize community members to undertake environmental sanitation activities.

Not started yet -

8.2.2 Rehabilitate/construct sanitation facilities in affected communities.

Not started yet

8.3.1 Collaborate with the relief sector in providing 40,000 hygiene kits and hygiene promotion for the usage of safe water storage containers to target families.

Distributed 4,176hygiene kit in 11 districts (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalipur, Sindhupanlchowk, Dolakha, Dhading, Kavrepanlanchowk, Gorkha, Rasuwa, and Khotang). 1,200 kits from UNICEF and rest from the IFRC appeal.

20,880

Child friendly space in Dhading district Photo: Tika Poudel, NRCS

NRCS volunteers distributing masks in the affected districts

NRCS staff collecting blood in Kathmandu

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8.3.2 Recruit and train new or mobilize existing health volunteers to participate in hygiene promotion activities, in coordination with the health team.

NRCS has mobilized 214 WASH volunteers to conduct hygiene promotion activities in the severely affected districts.

-

8.3.3 Conduct hygiene promotion activities in target communities, in collaboration with the health

WASH volunteers have been distributing IEC material related to use of toilet and hand washing, and conducting hand washing demonstration sessions in the camps and communities of the severely affected districts.

-

Comments Summary of water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities has been provided in table 5. Note: Activities under the following outcome have been planned from second quarter of the operation: Outcome 9 Sustainable reductions in risk of waterborne and water related diseases in targeted communities Outcome 10: National Society level of preparedness for future disasters and capacity to deliver sustainable programming and services strengthened.

Table 5: Summary of water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities S.N. Items Total

Supplies No. of

estimated people

benefited

S.N. Items Total Suppl

ies

No. of estimated people benefited

1 ORS 122,815 122,815 12 Kit 511 2 2 Soap 49,512 49,512 13 Volunteer kit12 80 - 3 Aqua tab(water purifying

tablet) 408,67513 102,169 14 Hygiene promotion box 8 480

4 Squatting plate (and constructed emergency toilet)

144 7200 15 Pillow tank (5000)L 1

5 Hygiene kit 4,176 20,880 16 Hill tank (2000)L 16 - 6 Mega phone (for WASH

message dissemination) 9 450 17 Water storage tank

(2000)L 9

7 Bucket 1,088 5440 18 Man pack set14 1 8 Water dispenser 18 900 19 Insecticide spray tank 2 100 9 Sanitary pad 105 315 20 Piyus (water purifying

solution) - 1,500

10 Jar/gallon 1,174 5870 21 11 Drinking water supplied by

tankers 3,522 -

Restoring family links Outcome 11: Family links are restored whenever people are separated from, or without news of, their loved ones as a result of the disaster Output 11.1: Contacts are re-established between family members separated by the disaster, within

11 (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene component) for 5000 people 13 1 aqua tablet purifies 5 litre of water . NRCS distributed average 20 tablets per family 14 Kit 5- Water Treatment Plan which can treat/purify water enough- 5,000 people

NRCS has been distributing drinking water in the affected areas.

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and outside the affected areas Sector Indicators

Target Achieve

ment Achievemen

t% # of families identified as separated who have re-established contact with their relatives

- 1,599 -

# of family reunifications for unaccompanied/separated minors and vulnerable adults

- 3 -

# of registered tracing requests - 2,301 -

Planned activities Status of implementation

Estimated no. people

benefited11.1.1 People in affected areas and relatives outside these areas have access to appropriate means of communication to re-establish and maintain contact with loved ones

NRCS delivered 123 Red Cross messages for successful family contacts, received 27 embassy notifications from central jail and notified to the concerned embassy by ICRC (19 for India and 8 for Pakistan). 125 Phone calls made to restore contact among the separated.

329

11.1.2 Active tracing is considered in support to persons who have not succeeded in re-establishing contact with loved ones

Altogether 2,301 persons have been registered as missing, among them, 1,599 have been already closed and 702 are still missing.

2301

11.1.3 Measures are taken to provide necessary protection and relief to registered vulnerable individuals and their caretakers.

15 pcs Tarpaulins, 50 Blankets, 80 packets of ORS given to Blue Diamond Society, a representative organization of third gender. 18 family tents given to Independent Living Centre, a NGO working for the people with disability. Cases related separated and unaccompanied children are forwarded to the Central Child Welfare Board (CCWB). IN two cases a joint field visit was done by NRCS and DCWB (District Child Welfare Board). Cases of elderly persons and psychological problems are also coordinated with the respective organization.

-

Comments On 25 April 2015, NRCS and ICRC activated a webpage, http://familylinks.icrc.org/nepal-earthquake, to facilitate restoring family links. A substantial Nepali diaspora contacted RFL services worldwide in order to get news from their close relatives living in affected areas. As of 5 May 2015, more than 202,000 visits have been made to site. Furthermore, RCRC Movement RFL team carried out following activities:

• RFL desk at national headquarter and team mobilized in districts as per need • RFL team met with police and exchanged data on missing people; • RFL team visited hospitals, camps, settlement area of evacuated persons, camps of people with

disability as per needed • Has a plan to visit affected areas to assess and verify missing people;

Dignified management of the dead Outcome: Appropriate action is taken to ensure the availability and collection of data on human remains and their identification and to provide information and support to families. Output 12.1: The emergency management of the dead is carried out with dignity. Output 12.2: Unknown remains are accurately identified so that their names may be returned to them and they may be returned to their families. Output 12.3: Families in search of deceased loved ones receive support. Sector Indicators Target Achievement Achievement%# of unidentified dead managed in a dignified manner - - - # of previously unknown dead identified and returned to their families

- - -

# of families assisted in the search for and attendance of deceased relatives

- - -

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Coordination and collection of resources The NRCS is responsible for the coordination and the overall implementation of the response with support of IFRC, ICRC and other Movement Partners. Within National Society NRCS has established the following structure at national headquarter for the quick and effective service delivery during this emergency operation (Refer to flow chart 1). This structure is being revised for the continuation of the operation.

Planned Activities Status of

implementation Estimated no. people

benefited12.1.1 Gather information on the number of unknown dead throughout affected areas and their storage location.

No update received

-

12.1.2 Inform the affected communities that the dead should be managed with dignity and protected.

No update received

-

12.13 Assure the affected communities that the dead do not cause epidemics and will not affect community

Ongoing* -

12.1.4 Mobilize the authorized structures to recover the dead as soon as possible, implementing necessary procedures to promote accurate tracking and identification.

No update received

-

12.2.1 Assess capacities, roles and processes of official structures, and, if necessary, provide technical expertise and material support with regard to the collection, storage, identification and disposition of human remains.

No update received

1,312 body bags supported

12.2.2 Support to ensure that all data regarding unknown remains and missing persons is collected, collated, centralized and shared as required by both official and unofficial structures to promote the maximum number of identifications possible.

No update received

-

12.2.3 If and where necessary, directly collect forensic data to aid in the identification of remains.

No update received

-

12.3.1 Support families with transport, food and shelter as they search for their missing loved ones.

Ongoinga 18

12.3.2 Provide families with, or assist in acquiring, financial support to carry out funerary rites according to their customs.

No update received

-

12.3.3 Provide families with “psychological first aid” as needed. Reported under health sector

-

Comments

• *NRCS and ICRC has been disseminating the message that the dead do not cause epidemics in the affected communities social media and volunteers Altogether 600 pairs of gloves and masks, 1,312 dead body bags were provided to security forces in the affected districts.

• Altogether 18 injured persons were provided cash support (travel cost) to return to home NRCS/ ICRC team: RFL team deployed in the field are collecting information about

unidentified dead in Kathamndu and Kavre. So far 19 unidentified dead bodies in Department of Forensic Medicine & Hospitals. Among 19 unidentified dead 7 are body parts only.Visited department of forensic medicine and other mortuary for the unidentified dead ;

Worked with police to recover the unidentified dead outside Kathmandu valley; Working on standard operation procedure for mortuary management.

Note: Activities under following outcome have been planned from the second quarter of the operation. Outcome 13: The impacts of disasters and associated health risks among vulnerable communities are reduced

Flow Chart 1: NRCS emergency operation structure (current)

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NRCS Central Executive Committee meeting held on 18-19 May 2015 has guided for separation governance structure and operation cell for this operation. Within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

• In support of the NRCS and National Societies supporting the response, IFRC has established a three tier coordination system at the Country Delegation level, IFRC Asia Pacific Zone level, IFRC Secretariat level in Geneva (for detail refer to Earthquake Emergency Plan of Action page no. 4)

• All IFRC and ICRC teams, global tools (head of operation HEOPs, FACT, ERUs and RDRTs) as well as surge capacity from various Secretariat offices have been work closely with NRCS to put together an effective platform to ensure that the Movement’s response is well coordinated. Likewise, National Societies of 26 countries from Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe and Middle East have supported or are supporting the NRCS response in-country, some of them having had presence in Nepal even before the earthquake.

• NRCS has established sectors (operation information management/assessment, logistic, relief, health, WASH, PMER, communication and RFL) at national headquarters. The experts from the RCRC Movement partners have closely been working with the concerned NRCS sectors.

• Besides, there are shelter, recovery and WASH working groups comprising of NRCS, IFRC and PNS staff.

• Movement coordination meetings are being held regularly (every day in the first three weeks and thrice

weeks from the fourth week of the disaster). NRCS and all the RCRC Movement partners share their plan, progress and discuss about the issues in the meeting.

• NRCS and IFRC are discussing for the Movement wide planning, M&E and reporting. There will be a single plan of this operation led by NRCS and all the Movement patterns will contribute in the plan. This will help to show the collective efforts and result in the humanitarian field.

Government The Government of Nepal through its Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC) and District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) has been coordinating the overall operation. NRCS is the ex-officio member of both committees. NRCS has regularly been participating in the meetings called by CNDRC and DDRC and coordinating the response activities at national and district level. NRCS has assigned a person staff at national headquarters to coordinate with government in this relief operation. UN agencies and clusters NRCS represents in 9 UN clusters out of 11 in Nepal and the cash Coordination Sub-Group led by Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. NRCS has also been participating in the food, health, WASH and protection clusters meetings and sharing its plan and activities. Shelter cluster • IFRC and NRCS are the co-leads for the Emergency Shelter Cluster in Nepal, supporting the

Government of Nepal/ Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC). • NRCS has been participating shelter cluster meeting at central and district level and sharing plan, progress

and challenges. IFRC has developed shelter 3 W table (Who, What and where table). • NRCS has taken shelter coordination role in Bhaktapur and Nuwakot district. • The Ministry of Local Development has banned the construction of buildings over two-storeys tall until mid-

July. The ministry has also put on hold the approval of new house designs for the same period. This has been confirmed. This is due to the amount of illegal and non-building code compliant construction that has been seen through the earthquake damage

• Government package for temporary shelter: 2 bundles CGI, 2kg nails, 10kg wire. Value of assistance should be approx. NPR 15,000 (approx.150 CHF). For recovery, assistance of up to NPR 200,000 per family; for permanent reconstruction, loans of NPR 1.5 million for rural and NPR 2.5 million for urban with 2% interest rate.

Operational challenges and constraints

• There is a big concern of a possibility of outbreak of diarrhea and respiratory diseases, while poor medical health infrastructure of the country is already stretched to the limit.

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• The impending monsoon rains (usually mid June-August) and high risks of flooding may hamper the relief effort and make situation of the displaced population even more difficult.

• Ongoing aftershocks and/or even brief rain showers may produce further mudslides and avalanches, resulting in additional casualties and slowing relief efforts. There is potential for the population movement in the country caused by loss of livelihoods.

• Due to repeated road blocks and other factors the water distribution slowed down during the last days but could be improved again both from a managerial point of view and the quantities trucked with a 4th truck now on rotations

• Difficult terrain and remoteness have been challenging for the swift assessment and relief activities in many places;

For further information, contact

In Nepal Red Cross Society, Kathmandu (phone +977 427 0650, fax: +977 427 1915):

• Dev Ratna Dhakhwa, Secretary General; email: [email protected] • Indra Bahadur KC, Acting Executive Director; email: [email protected] • Dharma Raj Pandey, Head of DM Department; email: [email protected]

Documents

latest Earthquake operation update (narrative)