On April 25, 2015, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 magnitude killed 8,897 people and impacted the lives of approximately 5.3 million*. Upon the one-year anniversary of this tragic disaster, we review the many ways the resilient people of Nepal find hope again through the assistance of helping hands extended to them.
An hour after the earthquake struck, Good Neighbors organized an emergency relief team in Nepal; within two hours, we distributed relief supplies in Gorkha, a village near the epicenter, as the first-responding relief organization. Additionally, we dispatched specialists from our Psycho-Social Support Team in Korea to provide Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) prevention programs and related education for local residents. This support was especially important to protect children who were likely to be left unattended amidst the chaos by establishing a continuous program to increase its effectiveness.
Good Neighbors was selected as the most active NGO in the sector of health out of all international aid organizations, including the UN. In addition, we were designated by UNOCHA as the leader of 11 organizations in the sector of protection in Gorkha, and managed over 30 organizations, including UNICEF (United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund), UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund), and WVI (World Vision International). In total, we conducted emergency relief projects worth USD $1,282,783 in 17 villages in three areas throughout Nepal. Through the generosity of support from our members, donors, supporters and more, 190,795 residents from 38,159 households were able to receive proper assistance.
Good Neighbors will be implementing a 5-year-long reconstruction project to assist children and residents to get back to their daily lives, in cooperation with international organizations, local governments, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
The emergency response from Good Neighbors is not limited to coping with urgent situations. We continue to help people return back to normal. It takes much more time and effort to recover from disasters, but together, we will make good changes happen for the residents by supporting them.”
– Sandip, Staff Member from Good Neighbors Nepal
* Approximately 20% of the entire population of Nepal (UNOCHA, Nepal earthquake humanitarian situation report, 2015)
