Nepal earthquake
On 25 April 2015 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, close to Kathmandu, the capital city. There have been many aftershocks since then, including a second major earthquake on 12 May.
CBM has been in contact with our staff and partners, who are all safe, and we are now implementing a disability-inclusive response.
CBM response
On 25th April 2015 at 11:41 local time a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, with the epicentre 81km northwest of Kathmandu. There were tremors of up to two minutes and by evening, at least 18 aftershocks had been felt.
CBM Emergency Response Unit has been in contact with our Regional and Country Offices, and partners, who are all safe.
Our Emergency programme manager and other international colleagues are in Nepal, supporting the local CBM team and partners to implement a disability-inclusive response.
CBM partners
CBM is supporting nine partner-projects in Nepal. These include eye and ear care programmes, orthopaedic and Community-based Rehabilitation services, mainstreaming of mental health and psychosocial disability, education and livelihood and empowerment of women as well as disability-inclusive development advocacy initiatives.
Disability and emergencies
The WHO estimates 15% of the global population live with disability. In any emergency or disaster, people who live with some form of disability are disproportionally affected. Reasons for this include inaccessibility of warning messages and emergency shelters, loss and damage of assistive devices, disruption of support networks and increased difficulty in accessing basic humanitarian operations (food, water, shelter, sanitation and health care services).
At the same time, emergencies can increase the number of people who experience disability, both short and long-term, due to injuries sustained and lack of effective medical services.
More info (external)
More reading
Surviving the Nepal earthquake
Rajendra shares his story during the Nepal earthquake
CBM working with local partners to ensure that people with disabilities are included at all levels of disaster preparedness and response
Radhika's ordeal during the Nepal earthquake
Radhika shares her story during the Nepal earthquake