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Nepal

Nepal – Western Nepal earthquake: Urgent call for assistance

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Context

Nepal sits on a major fault line between two tectonic plates, making it prone to frequent earthquakes. It is also one of the most impacted countries by climate disasters globally. In November 2023, it was struck by its deadliest earthquake since 2015. The 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit Karnali province, particularly affecting Jajarkot and Rukum-West districts. It claimed many lives, caused widespread property damage and led to massive losses and destruction in the agriculture sector, a lifeline for approximately 80 percent of the province’s population. Farmers reported the loss of standing crops, stored food and seeds, livestock, poultry, beehives and small-scale irrigation equipment. In addition, roads were destroyed, impeding access to markets amidst a spike in the price of farming inputs.

Before the earthquake, many households were already suffering from food insecurity and malnutrition. Small-scale agricultural producers and livestock owners were grappling with elevated levels of poverty and restrained access to quality inputs, agricultural equipment and tools, decent roads, irrigation and markets. The earthquake occurred at a critical moment in the agricultural calendar, adding a new layer of vulnerability and challenges to these households. It struck after the maize harvest, during the rice harvest, and at a time when the main winter crop (wheat) was in the field, further affecting agricultural production and threatening food security.

In the wake of the earthquake, the Government of Nepal led an emergency lifesaving response. During this phase, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provided 80 000 hermetic bags to 8 000 earthquake-affected farming households in Bajhang, Jajarkot and Rukum-West districts, enabling them to safely store seeds and grains.

With the focus now shifting to recovery and reconstruction, United Nations agencies, in consultation with the government, developed a Joint Recovery Action Plan. The plan aims to address the needs of affected communities in the medium and long term, prioritizing resilience-building measures and long-term investments to mitigate the impact of future disasters. Within its framework, FAO seeks to provide farming households with agricultural inputs, protect livestock and replace/repair agricultural tools and equipment. This will enable earthquake-affected farmers to restore and revive agricultural production and contribute to strengthening their livelihood resilience against future shocks and building back better.