Country: /Earthquake Rapid Needs Assessment Report [ – Chourikharka VDC ]

Release Date: 14.5.2015

1. Situation Overview

On April 25th 2015, an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 Richter scale struck Nepal causing a level of devastation that had not been experienced in the country for at least 80 years. Millions of people have been affected by the disaster, with 8,219 people confirmed dead and over 20,000 more injured. The epicentre of the earthquake was located 77km northwest of , in the Ghorka district.

A second earthquake, measuring 7.3 magnitude, struck Nepal on May 12th 2015. The epicentre was in Dholaka District, 18 KM southeast of ()- an area already affected by the 25 April quake. The second earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, including a 5.6 magnitude tremor and a 6.3 magnitude tremor in Dholaka District. Strong aftershocks continue to be felt. Many areas around the epicentre are particularly susceptible to landslides.

On 13 of May 2015, ACTED teams conducted a Key Informant Interviewa (KII) assessment with community representatives in village within Chourikharka VDC in Solukhumbu District, affected by the 12th May earthquake.

The population of the settlement is of approx. 3,000 inhabitants, according to the KI interviewed.

No people died during the 25th April and 13th May earthquakes and the ones injured have not suffered severe traumas. The earthquakes left 30% to 35% of the population without shelter, the houses collapsing or being damaged up to a non-livable level.

The village is on a trekking path, that brings benefits especially in terms of employment opportunities. The employees of the organizations operating in the area have received tents in which they have been living since the second earthquake, in a common area.

While the water sources are functional, most of the individual latrines were destroyed by the earthquakes. A communal latrine had been built and was in use, according to the KI interviewed.

The population is in need of construction materials and tools to rebuild their houses. The school was also destroyed.

Considering the gravity of the destruction and the data collected while surveying the area by helicopter, it can be assumed that the other villages in the VDC are similarly affected, with Lukla and Chourikharka suffering the highest level of damage.

3. Assessment Methodology

- KI interviews were conducted to: o Identify the core needs in Lukla village and the VDC. o Identify the impact of the second earthquake. - Interviewees were all residents from the area. - Helicopter hovering over the VDC, for a general overview of the situation in the area.

Note: The numbers presented below refer to Lukla village only, unless indicated otherwise, due to the level of information that could be provided by the interviewees.

4. Assessment Findings

Populations Affected______Situation - The assessment conducted covered directly a population of approx. 600 HH and 3,000 inhabitants from Lukla village1. Considering the information gathered via helicopter observation and KII, most of the Chourikharka VDC population is having similar needs, with Chourikharka and Lukla villages being the most affected. - Following the second earthquake, approximately 95% of the Lukla village population is affected in terms of shelter resources, in various degrees. The second earthquake (12th May) left a vast majority of the population without sanitation facilities. - In terms of community infrastructure, the school was also destroyed by the second earthquake.

1 According to the KII.

Needs, Coverage and Gaps - The highest needs are for construction materials and building tools for houses and sanitation facilities reconstruction. - Common infrastructure buildings – such as the school also need to be rebuilt.

Shelter______Situation - According to KIs, approximately 30%-35% of the houses were completely destroyed or damaged up to a non-livable degree during the two earthquakes. The remaining 60% to 65% suffered only minor damage and 5% were unaffected. - Many of the people left without houses had already procured tents/plastic sheets. - The school’s building was also destroyed.

Needs, Coverage and Gaps - With 95% of the houses affected, the community is most concerned about their uninhabitable houses, and the unavailability of building materials. The only construction resource available in the community is timber. - The village has benefited so far from support offered by a German trekking company in terms of tents and plastic sheets.

Note: According to the KI, the entire VDC was affected with Chourikharka being in a similar situation as Lukla’s in terms of shelter needs.

Livelihoods, Food Security and Nutrition______Situation - According to the key informants, the population is not in need of food. - There are a few employment opportunities in the village, from trekking companies and the school, to an “airport” – a take off and landing spot/lane for helicopters and light planes.

Needs, Coverage and Gaps - No immediate food assistance is needed.

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene______Situation - The water sources were not affected by the earthquakes. - Following the second earthquake, most individual sanitation facilities were destroyed. A public toilet was set up to be used.

Needs, Coverage and Gaps - The highest needs in terms of WASH, in the village, are of sanitation facilities. If the reconstruction is delayed this will leave room for open defecation practices as the needs are highly exceeding the existent facilities.

Health______Situation - While medicine is available, the hospital was damaged by the earthquakes and its capacity to serve the community was affected. Needs, Coverage and Gaps - The medical needs mentioned by the KI refer only to the reconstruction of the hospital..

Protection______Situation - No protection issues were mentioned.

Education______Situation - The school in the village was severely damaged in the earthquakes.

Needs, Coverage and Gaps - The school has to be reconstructed following its complete destruction according to the KIs.

Relief Efforts/Assistance/Access______

- Affected by the earthquakes, the community has not received humanitarian aid or governmental support. - However, the trekking organisations have provided some of the people (especially employees) with tents and plastic sheets.