Sindhupalchok is one of the most severely affected Districts in Nepal, following the earthquake of April 25, 2015. It lies in the Bagmati Zone in Central Nepal, with a total area of 2,542 Sq. Km and is surrounded by Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Kavre, Rasuwa, Dolakha and China. It is a major tourist destination, lying just about 85 km north-east of the capital, Kathmandu. It sits on the Jugal Himalayan range.

Delegates of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in a coordination session. ©ICRC, Adebayo Olowo-Ake

The impact of the earthquake on Sindhupalchok is massive, with the number of the dead in the hundreds, while recovery operations are on-going still. The disaster affected a significant number of houses and health facilities and equally damaged most of the equipment and devices in affected hospitals. These are compounded by repeatedly occurring tremors—over 100 since the major quake of April 25—further causing fear and panic in many communities.

While the Nepal Red Cross Society, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have begun relief efforts, it will take some time for this to reach most of those affected, given the scale of the impact. The Red Cross relief teams have to contend with a lack of access roads to many affected districts, lack of water and lack of power supply. Nonetheless, efforts are being stepped up to respond to the needs of many.

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