KATHMANDU: Responding to the hardships of earthquake-affected communities, Save the Children has started urgent winter distribution to more than 15,000 remote earthquake-hit households in four districts.

A press statement issued on Monday said these households are being providedshelter support through goods and cash voucher transfer over the next one month in Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, Gorkha and Dolakha.

“To earthquake survivors battling the cold and living in freezing temperatures, secure and warm shelter is the topmost priority,” said Jagat Bahadur Khadka, Save the Children Nepal Acting Country Director in the statement.

Khadka added, The statement said that in Lapu of Gorkha, where voucher transfer has already begun, recipients expressed satisfaction at receiving support during this critical time.

In Sindhupalchowk and Gorkha, the most vulnerable households in six VDCs will receive winter kits including clothes, bedding and utensils.

The team is poised to reach at least 50 per cent of the targeted population by December 30, 2015 and complete all distribution by 20 January, 2016.