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Summary
As the relief phase of the earthquake operation is closed, this operation update focuses on the progress on recovery activities.
Following the signing of agreement with the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) for recovery programmes in first week of June 2016, Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), earthquake recovery activities started immediately. With the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) support, NRCS has commenced activity implementation in the three targeted districts of Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, and Sindhuli.
Although currently it is the monsoon season in Nepal which severely interrupts access to many parts of the country, the NRCS field teams supported by the IFRC have made a strong commitment to ensure the long delayed activities move from planning to implementation. To date the monsoon has caused destruction within the country but still within the capacity of the NRCS to respond. With the demise of the El Nino at the beginning of the year it was anticipated that the monsoon season would be around normal within Nepal but with the chance of an extended season if a La Nina forms in the second half of the year. To this end, the NRCS will continue to monitor the monsoons in October this season.
With regards to shelter, IFRC has transferred the first instalment for 2,181 out of the targeted 2,516 families to NRCS district chapters. In Sindhuli, 20 families have started their construction of foundation. As per the Emergency Appeal, IFRC plans to support a maximum of 3,000 families in Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, and Sindhuli districts. NRA has so far allocated 2,516 families to NRCS in the three districts. This figure is expected to slightly increase after resolving grievances related to selection of eligible families.
Masons trainings have been completed in all three districts. A total of 540 masons including 13 female participants were trained and certified by the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC). Similarly, 3-day social mobilizers training was conducted in two districts, Sindhuli and Okhaldhunga.
Health activities during the reporting period were focused on the achievement of total immunization in Manthali municipality of Ramechhap district. An estimated of 4,830 people were reached through door-to-door visits. Red Cross volunteers also reached others within the community through mass awareness activities such as street dramas and messages through the radio. As a result, Manthali municipality in Ramechhap district was declared as a totally immunized municipality. The health team also distributed long lasting insecticide treated nets (LLINs) reaching 389 pregnant women in Ramechhap and Sindhuli districts. During the distribution, NRCS volunteers and female community health volunteers (FCHVs) conducted door-to-door visits giving messages on use of LLINs and importance of antenatal check-ups. In Okhaldunga district, NRCS distributed 450 dignity kits to pregnant women.
WASH activities are ongoing and form a significant part of the integrated community needs approach. Toilet construction for the ultra-poor has already started with the orientation of masons and Red Cross junior engineers as well as local tendering for construction materials. A total of 240 ultra-poor families will be assisted in toilet construction by end of 2016. In total, 1,725 families will be supported through construction or rehabilitation of toilets. This will be coordinated closely with families who will also be receiving shelter cash grants. The NRCS WASH team with support of the IFRC WASH delegate conducted WASH inventories in the three targeted districts to establish the needs of the communities. A total of in total 4,147 families (20,735 people) will be supported through WASH interventions in the three districts.