Setu Nepal responded to the needs of earthquake victims starting with the districts Dhading, Gorkha, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk. Since there was already an overwhelming support from national and international agencies, we decided that instead of proving immediate relief such as food and clothing, we would focus on their long term needs for rehabilitation. So for a feasibility study of their actual needs, we visited the four districts focusing on Setu Nepal’s target i.e. HIV/AIDS and prison victims.
Out of the four districts, we were unable to visit the Sindhupalchowk jail, as it was completely devastated and the criminals were shifted temporarily. The condition of other three jails was good enough with only minor cracks. We collected information from all the female prisoners regarding their house condition after earthquake and possible ways we could support their families living outside. However, we found out that maximum of them were not in contact with their family members and we should rather support for the education of their children or their living conditions inside. As an immediate support, we provided the Nuwakot and Gorkha jail with a fan each and Dhading jail with a sewing machine as per their demand.
Regarding the HIV/AIDS victim, we visited the community care centers of all four districts. We collected general statistical data from them about the women and children affected due to earthquake. Apart from that we also spoke to few victims regarding their urgent needs. From the information collected we found out that almost all the houses were collapsed with only few of them being able to retain the household items.
After this visit, now we are in the process of providing the initial materials to the affected district. We had already provided a kitchen set to the community care center of sindhupalchowk which was completely collapsed. Now on their request, we recently provided the same kitchen set to twenty HIV infected women, whose houses were partially or completely collapsed. Regarding other districts, we realized that with so many organizations supporting for the relief effort, very few focused on education materials for children and nutrition. So we decided on aiming our support on these two issues. For this, we will be providing school bags with stationary items, nutrition packet and mosquito nets to the children of Dhading and nuwakot district next week. All these programs are being done under the government consent as we have already informed the Chief District Office of all four districts.
Apart from all this, we came across many other issues that require attention such as psychological counseling, toilet construction, torch light etc. We will try our best to address these issues also, as far as our budget permits.