KATHMANDU: Three districts - Rasuwa, Sindhupalchok and Sindhuli - hit by the devastating earthquake last year have witnessed a significant increase in poverty as a result of the disaster, a study carried out by the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) said.

The quake that killed nearly 9000 people, injured around 22,000 and destroyed hundreds of houses and structures has crippled country's economy significantly.

The report that was made public amid a programme in the Capital today said the study was conducted in the three and that it was found during the study that 15-20 per cent households hit by the quake were forced to live under the poverty line due to the quake.

The report suggested to the PAF to work toward lifting standards of quake-affected impoverished families in collaboration with other various organisations.

On the occasion, chief disaster expert Man Bahadur Thapa, who is a part of the study team, stressed the need for the PAF to initiate programmes like livestock insurance in raising the standards of quake-hit impoverished people.

The report also suggested that the PAF should also concentrate on the programme it launched in various districts like mobile fund, coordination between town and village market and disaster risk reduction.

Likewise, PAF Vice-Chairman Yubraj Pandey said that the PAF should stress the launch of public participatory programme, pointing out that it would impossible to develop the country without public participation.