KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 4
It has been a full year since Harka Pun of Aathbiskot Municipality-14 in Rukum Paschim was rendered homeless after a devastating earthquake struck the region.
The 6.4 magnitude quake, centered around Ramidanda in Jajarkot district, occurred at 11:47 p.m. on November 3, 2023.
The disaster claimed more than 150 lives, injured nearly 400 people, and caused extensive damage to buildings, infrastructure, and essential services, primarily affecting Jajarkot, Rukum Paschim, Rukum Purba, and Salyan districts.
The Pun family has already endured one winter and one monsoon in a tin shelter, and Harka fears they'll face yet another harsh winter in the same conditions. After spending initial days under a tarpaulin tent following the destruction of their home, the family eventually moved to a tin shed.
"We have spent an entire year in difficult conditions inside the tin shed. Winter has already set in, and it's getting colder. We're worried about how we'll cope this time," he expressed with frustration.
Like Pun, many earthquake-affected families remain in temporary tin shelters, longing for safe housing as winter approaches. After enduring last winter's cold in tents and summer in zinc sheds, they still lack secure housing.
"We didn't receive timely assistance from the government to rebuild our homes. We worry about the health of our children and elderly. Last year was hard, and we fear more lives could be lost this winter," shared Hiralal Pariyar of Sanibheri Rural Municipality-4.
Despite government promises of support, reconstruction procedures have yet to be implemented, even a year later. Authorities had pledged a grant of NPR 50,000 per affected family for temporary shelter construction, but many earthquake survivors report they have not received the full grant.
Manoj Budhathoki, Chair of Sanibheri Rural Municipality-4, said that although immediate provisions of tarpaulin and temporary shelters were made, full reconstruction has stalled. He cited the federal government's delay in establishing a reconstruction process as a primary obstacle.
An onsite visit by the Public Policy and Delegated Legislation Committee of the National Assembly highlighted the conditions in earthquake-stricken areas, urging the government to expedite reconstruction and resettlement for affected families.
According to the District Administration Office, of the 34,989 registered beneficiaries, 32,996 households have received the first tranche for temporary shelter construction.
However, 2,002 households have yet to receive their initial payment, and a second tranche has been disbursed to only 16,000 families.
