Nepal: Supporting thousands of people affected by the earthquake

Handicap International has worked in Nepal since 2001 and our teams were able to be there for the victims in the first few hours.

So far, over a thousand injured people have benefited from rehabilitation care and more than 11,000 people have received emergency shelter and basic needs items. We were able to quickly set up an aid distribution network with a team of over 100 staff working to ensure the most vulnerable people receive the support they need in order to recover from this terrible disaster.

Fractures, spinal injuries and amputations

In 11 hospitals and out in communities, Handicap International’s rehabilitation teams have been working with injured people since the day of the earthquake. So far our teams have provided vital care to 1,530 people with a range of injuries including fractures, spinal injuries and amputations. As well as post-traumatic care for people with head injuries and open wounds, our teams have delivered over 5,900 rehabilitation sessions and distributed 970 mobility aids such as wheelchairs, splints and walking frames.

Three months on from the earthquake, Handicap International physical therapist, Prakash Niraula explains more about out our work with injured people:

“The patients we care for are getting better. Our priority is to provide support to everyone who needs it. That’s why we have set up permanent community points. We conduct rehabilitation and psychological support sessions and closely monitor our patients. Every day we identify around ten new people who need rehabilitation care.”

Shelter and basic needs kits

We have also been supporting the most vulnerable households affected by the earthquake, including those that were made homeless. 11,220 people have benefited from Handicap International’s distribution of emergency kits so that they could keep warm and meet their basic needs. In three badly affected districts our teams have distributed 4,394 kits including shelter kits, hygiene kits and kitchen sets.

We are now preparing to launch 'post-emergency' activities, to ensure much needed support is available in the long-term and people have a chance to fully recover.

Without our supporters none of this would have been possible.
We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone that has donated to our Nepal appeal so far.