20 May Limitations and Challenges of Earthquake Survivors in Nepal

Eight million men and women were affected, 1.4 million are in need of immediate aid, 8,000 are currently injured. It’s the worst quake to strike the region in 80 years.

Though help is pouring from all over the world, but the main challenges of relief and rehabilitation remains and are highlighted as below:

1. Some survivors are still needed to be found.

2.The ongoing effort to locate victims and non-availability of immediate medical aid. Blunt head traumas and broken bones are very common after a disaster like an earthquake, so getting in medical equipment and health care workers is critical.

3. Hospitals are overloaded.

The United Nations reports damage to hospitals in Ramechhap, Nuwakot, and Sindhupalchowk. Even in Kathmandu, where main hospitals are still standing, facilities are over-capacity. Many of the injured are being treated on the streets, and getting basic medical supplies and health care workers to every location is critical.

4. Delayed Vaccination Initiatives.

After disasters, planned vaccination campaigns are often delayed or cancelled — like for measles — because it’s no longer the top priority in a region. However, this leaves a given population exposed to outbreak. Especially if there is an outbreak of Measles, there is no curative treatment for it and most vulnerable target of it can be small children which can be at higher risk.

5. Lack of Transportation and Accessibility.

With the destruction, this situation is even more dire and getting supplies and transporting them within the country is a major challenge.

6. People are remaining in the open.

According to the BBC, 90 percent of structures in areas like the district of Gorkha have been levelled. “Many people are sleeping in the open, both out of fear from aftershocks and because of lack of shelter, so there are health risks from being exposed to the elements, especially as the weather turns more inclement.

7. Clean water and hygiene are major concerns.

When people can no longer easily get their hands on basic necessities, areas become hotbeds for epidemics to take hold. The incidence of cholera and water borne diseases are common phenomena. When the health infrastructures are damaged and destroyed, the spread of communicable diseases are also much more likely.

Public health teams are working to provide families with life-saving interventions like oral rehydration salts and material to disinfect the water supply and one of the most critical interventions is getting soap to people so they can wash their hands. Soap is arguably one of the most important and life-saving interventions in preventing many illnesses.

Together, these challenges can be suitably dealt with, as many doctors and NGOs are shifting their focus on providing support to the survivors.

Mehaan Charitable Foundation On-Field Survey Team and lead team of doctors are also trying their best to provide and extend support for the same.

Do visit our Nepal Relief and Rehabilitation update on website to know more, click the link given below:

http://mehaancharitablefoundation.com/events/nepal-earthquake-relief