Broken Homes, Broken Promises, and a Broken Future

In the aftermath of the devastating Jajarkot earthquake on November 3, which shook the lives of tens of thousands of people, the National Disaster Risk Reduction And Management Authority (NDRRMA) reveals that 59,162 individuals in Jajarkot and Rukum West have been severely affected.

Two months since the catastrophe, the most affected are still grappling with the harsh reality of having no proper shelter and inadequate clothing. The plight of vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, and those in poor health, continues to worsen as they await much-needed assistance.

From Khalanga to Aathbiskot, the landscape remains hauntingly similar, portraying a desolate scene where residents are grappling with a sense of hopelessness, questioning whether positive change will ever reach them.

Dan Bahadur Pariyar, a resident of Nalgad 12, expressed his frustration, claiming that the government had failed to deliver on its promise of building temporary shelters within a month of the earthquake. “Two months have gone by, and we still sleep in the cold. We have not received the promised first instalment. When will help come?” questioned Pariyar.

The government had pledged to provide Rs 25,000 to those affected by the earthquake, but as per reports, many are yet to receive any assistance. In Chuiri, the village most impacted by the earthquake, approximately 80 per cent of the 200 homes have been completely damaged, and the remaining structures are at risk of collapsing at any moment, forcing almost the entire village to live outside.

Despite some efforts by political parties to construct 20 to 25 temporary shelters, there has been no progress on the government’s promise to build these structures for more people in the area. The dire conditions have left citizens enduring a challenging existence under tarpaulin shelters for the past two months.

As the cold intensifies day by day, earthquake survivors emphasize the increasing difficulty of living under tents, highlighting the urgent need for swift and effective relief measures. The affected residents of Jajarkot and Rukum West await assistance, hoping for a glimmer of hope to rebuild their broken homes and shattered lives.