Inclusive Rapid Need Assessment Report: Jajarkot and West -Rukum Earthquake

On November 3, 2023, at 11:47 p.m., a 6.4 magnitude earthquake occurred in Jajarkot District in western Nepal with its epicenter at Barekot rural municipality, followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock on November 6. A total of 153 casualties have been confirmed, with 17,824 households in the two districts fully destroyed.

For the immediate need assessment, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) of the Government of Nepal conducted an Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA).

While the IRA evaluated the overall condition of the affected population, damages to houses and buildings, transportation, communication, health services, storage of agricultural products, and general immediate requirements, it did not concentrate extensively on the profound impacts of the earthquake in certain key areas such as identifying the most vulnerable population, devising strategies for providing rehabilitation services to those in need within the post-disaster context, addressing the necessity for inclusive humanitarian assistance, and other significant aspects of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) needs.

Considering these circumstances Handicap International (HI), in collaboration with Lutheran World Federation (LWF), promptly conducted an inclusive Rapid Need Assessment (IRNA) from 8-10 November 2023 focusing on six thematic areas to evaluate the status and requirements.