On November 9, 2022, there was an earthquake in western Nepal. The earthquake hit at around 2 am local time, on Wednesday. The earthquake was at a magnitude of 6.6, killing six people and injuring several others. An 8-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, two 14-year old girls, a 40-year-old woman, and a 50-year-old man were known to be killed in this tragedy. According to aljazeera.com, “Bhola Bhatta, deputy superintendent of police in Doti, said that four children were among the fatalities that occurred when eight houses collapsed after the earthquake struck.”
Local media reported the earthquake was felt in India’s capital, New Delhi, located 400km (250 miles) west of the epicenter. Nearly eight houses collapsed in the aftermath of this event. According to zeebiz.com, “A spokesperson of the Nepali Army Narayan Silwal said that the injured were rescued by a team of security personnel, including the Nepali Army and taken to the Doti Hospital by helicopter.”
Nepal is still rebuilding after two major earthquakes in 2015, but the recent earthquake has slowed down reconstruction. The earthquakes in 2015 killed almost 9,000 people and destroyed whole towns and centuries-old temples. Within two weeks after the main 2015 earthquake occurred, rescue teams had reached all the remote villages in the earthquake zone. It caused a $6 billion blow to the economy. Fortunately, the recent earthquake didn’t do as much damage.
At least two people have recently been reported missing since the earthquake. As of November 14th 2022, people affected by the earthquake are living in the open and are in need of shelter. With the upcoming winter season, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is distributing non-food items and supporting some shelter solutions for the most vulnerable households.
The Nepal earthquake affected many people and towns. All Hands and Hearts' (AHAH) earthquake relief work in Nepal began in 2015 after two devastating earthquakes struck the country, and they are still continuing to help the victims of the earthquakes today. People are able to donate or volunteer to help on their website.