Volunteer Engagement in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

Rebuilding with the Community After a Disaster: Volunteer Engagement in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

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Volunteer Engagement in the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

January 19, 2017

The earthquake that hit Nepal on 25 April 2015 with multiple aftershocks brought about widespread destruction across the country and resulted in 8,790 deaths, 22,300 injuries and 755,549 houses that were either damaged or completely destroyed. In response to the catastrophe, UN volunteers were mobilized and deployed in partnership with UNDP to deliver important services in the districts of Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Nuwakot, Chitwan and in Kathmandu.

Mostly engineers, UN Volunteers undertook technical assessments of damaged structures and supervised cash-for-work brigades which cleared and recycled vast quantities of debris resulting from the earthquake. They likewise trained and mentored grassroots organizations in the implementation of community-based projects, facilitated the delivery of livelihood assistance to earthquake victims and implemented local disaster risk management initiatives.

This report documents the participation of the UNVs in two UNDP projects in the disaster-affected sites. It posits that volunteerism served to strengthen local institutions, mobilize and develop the capacities of distraught communities, and increase coordination efforts among key players that responded to the earthquake.

A PDF version of the document can be downloaded form the link on the top right corner of this page.

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