On November 3, 2023, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the districts of Rukum West and Jajarkot in Karnali Province, killing 154 people and displacing thousands more. Between these two districts, 77 health facilities sustained damages, and four were completely destroyed, disrupting essential maternal and neonatal health services. 

In response, OHW mobilized resources from a number of private and public partners, including the German Embassy in Kathmandu, to provide relief.

• Within days of the earthquake, we set up four medical tents with essential medical equipment and supplies in Ghetma and Chainabagar, two facilities that sustained some of the heaviest damage. These medical tents allow pregnant mothers and newborn infants to continue to receive services until the facilities can be rebuilt.

• We also were able to distribute essential supplies such as dignity kits, water tanks, winter kits, hygiene kits, kitchen utensils, and blankets to a total of 896 families with pregnant women or infants under one year of age. These materials were distributed in two rural municipalities (Kushe and Barekot) in Jajarkot and three municipalities (Aathbiskot, Triveni, and Sanibheri) in Rukum West.

• We procured corrugated iron sheets and 500-liter water tanks to help 200 families reconstruct their homes.

• As part of our long-term response, we mapped the need for equipment and restoration work among the affected facilities and secured additional funding to help restore MNH services provision in these facilities.