Kathmandu, April 23

A year after 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, an estimated four million people are still living in sub-standard temporary shelters in conditions that pose a threat to their health and well-being.

More than 800,000 homes were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake and providing shelter remains the paramount humanitarian priority. But despite achievements in many areas of earthquake recovery efforts, little progress has been made so far towards helping survivors rebuild permanent homes.

“We are hoping that the government’s priorities and perspectives on reconstruction will soon be clear so that we can help people rebuild and get their lives back on track as quickly as possible,” said Max Santner, head of Nepal country office, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in a press statement.

In the months after the earthquake, the Red Cross gave more than 130,000 families emergency shelter, including tents and tarpaulins.

“Living under plastic sheeting was never intended as a permanent solution,” said Dev Ratna Dhakwa, secretary general of Nepal Red Cross Society. “Our aim is to restore the dignity of survivors who have endured massive personal loss. To do this, they need to be reassured that they will have the security of a real home in near future.”

In recent months, the Red Cross has been training stone masons, carpenters and community members in earthquake-resistant building techniques and is ready to support families to start rebuilding once the guidelines are clear.

In the first six months after the earthquake, the Nepal Red Cross Society, supported by Red Cross and Red Crescent partners from around the world, reached more than three million people with emergency help which included the distribution of emergency shelter and relief items, the provision of safe water and healthcare and distribution of cash grants to help families re-establish their livelihoods.

In 2016 and 2017, the Red Cross will continue its efforts to support the longer term recovery needs of 500,000 people across 14 of Nepal’s earthquake affected districts, said the press statement.