October 26, 2015, Bangkok - Six months ago, the first of a series of devastating earthquakes struck Nepal, killing over 8,700 people, injuring over 22,000 and destroying and damaging nearly a quarter million houses.
While the 25 April 2015 earthquake and its aftershocks directly affected 8.1 million people, millions across the countryside in the mainly rural, Himalayan nation were also exposed to the risk of increased landslides. Major life-supporting ecosystems were also severely damaged.
A post-disaster needs assessment revealed significant destruction of forests and other protected areas as well as damage to ecotourism infrastructure such as nature trails, trekking routes and camping sites. The earthquake also destroyed renewable rural energy technology solutions such as improved cooking and biogas stoves. A number of office buildings and assets of the Nepal Government environmental institutions were damaged.
Following the earthquake, UNEP has worked with the Government of Nepal to mitigate the adverse environmental impacts of the disaster. This includes the development of a comprehensive waste management strategy at national and sub-national levels. UNEP, the government and development partners have also identified opportunities to green the reconstruction process. With the frequency of landslides in Nepal three times more since the earthquake, UNEP facilitated the sharing of best global practices on landslide management. UNEP’s recovery plans for Nepal also include support for the recycling and reuse of debris in the reconstruction process.
As the reconstruction effort continues, UNEP will play a central role in promoting a green, resource-efficient and sustainable reconstruction process in the country, focusing on environmental recovery, restoring life- and livelihood-supporting ecosystems, and promoting resource efficiency. The aim is to ensure that the rebuilding results in enhanced environmental resilience of the people of Nepal and its ecosystems.
A stark reminder of the high level of vulnerability of the Asia and Pacific region to natural disasters, Nepal’s earthquake has underlined the need for strengthening national disaster resilience and post-crisis environmental recovery.
The region accounts for nearly half of the world’s natural disasters. The five biggest disasters to strike Asia Pacific in 2013 caused some US$100 billion in economic loss and killed over 19,000 people.
