Key messages

• There must be continued support to vulnerable communities to prepare for and reduce the impact of natural disasters in order to reinforce their resilience capacities.

• The health emergency response capacities in the capital city, Kathmandu, must be strengthened to cope with the risk of a major earthquake.

• Food assistance to the refugees from Bhutan living in Nepal should be continued.

Highlights : The UN in Nepal commemorated the 67th UN Day on 2 November 1012 amidst a well attended programme in the UN House. Speaking at the program, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN System in Nepal Mr. Robert Piper expressed concern over Nepal's unstable political situation and derailed constitution-writing process.

On 21 September 2009, Bhutan was hit by an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale. The epicentre of the earthquake was in East Bhutan and affected 10 neighbouring districts. As well as damaging around 4,000 homes the earthquake damaged over 100 schools, affecting about 14,000 schoolchildren. The earthquake caused structural damage to classrooms, and water and sanitation facilities were destroyed.

Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA)
South Asia Region, Regional Office for Asia-Pacific, Bangkok, Thailand

DISASTER RESPONSE

Responding to Severe Cold in Afghanistan

In response to the most severe winter in 15 years, USAID/OFDA is distributing cold weather-related emergency relief supplies to the most vulnerable families in Afghanistan.

5 October 2011: The Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) has provided US$1,605,535 in life-saving funds for earthquake-affected populations in Bhutan.

More than 8,000 households have been affected by the earthquake, with the total collapse or major damage reported to 845 houses, 110 schools, 36 hospitals and health units and religious structures. An estimated 40,035 people have been directly affected with 4,225 persons displaced from their homes since the 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck on 18 September 2011.

This bulletin is being issued for information only and reflects the current situation and details available at this time. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is not seeking funding or other assistance from donors for this operation. The Indian Red Cross Society and Nepal Red Cross Society will, however, accept direct assistance to provide support to the affected population.

The situation

Emergency: Bhutanese Refugee Camp Fire

Date of Emergency: 22 March 2011

Implementing Member(s): Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Nepal

DETAILS OF THE EMERGENCY:

Fire in two Bhutanese refugee camps (Goldhap and Sanischare) in eastern Nepal on 22 March 2011 destroyed 750 refugee shelters. The influx of Bhutanese refugees began in Nepal in the 1990s and there are at present 67,256 Bhutanese refugees staying in seven designated camps in eastern Nepal, nearly 500 kilometres east of the capital city

The Parliamentary Secretary for International Development Assistance, Bob McMullan, today reaffirmed Australia's commitment to promoting greater engagement with South Asia.

"We share common interests in democracy, security, trade and investment built on strong historical bonds," Mr McMullan said.

Australia's relationship with South Asia was confirmed with observer status at this week's 16th South Asian Association