Post disaster livelihood recovery : a case study of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal

Abstract

Almost after a year when last major earthquake occurred in April 24, 2015 in Nepal, the survivors who had lost their houses were facing major difficulties in getting back to normal livelihood in Ramechhap district of Nepal. This study showed the contrasting differences in livelihood recovery of people living in municipality and VDC within a district. Many of the households, service centres, health posts, schools were destroyed ending the normal livelihood of people in various parts of already poor and rural Ramechhap district. Post disaster livelihood recovery phase in Ramechhap seems to be going in slow pace even after a year with multiple projects implemented from various governmental and non-governmental organizations. Government body seemed to be slow in addressing the needs of the people and delivering the service to the affected people as compared to non-governmental bodies working in Ramechhap. However neither of the authorities have initiated permanent livelihood rehabilitation process in Ramechhap, organizations still seem to be revolving around humanitarian assistance even after the year of major disaster. In spite of series of difficulties and challenges ahead in recovering livelihood of the affected population, togetherness of community and unity to overcome crisis situation showed the resilient nature in group of people living in Ramechhap which might be the biggest asset in post-disaster livelihood recovery- not only in Ramechhap, but whole Nepal.