Hard to smile in those grave times, but we never gave up hope
Three years on from the huge earthquake that devastated Nepal on April 25, 2015, Pallab Regmi, emergency programme officer for Christian Aid, remembers the terrifying days that followed, how the response gathered momentum and how people have now rebuilt their homes and their lives.
I could hardly believe it when I heard the epicentre of the earthquake was in Gorkha district — around my home town. I was in Kathmandu at the time, so I travelled to Gorkha and saw that my house was damaged and my family members were very scared.
I spent two days there trying to help my family and friends before heading to Sindhupalchowk district to support people affected by the earthquake, as conditions were worse there. Every day was very terrifying with close moments of escape.
It was hard to smile in those troubled times, but it was important to keep our hopes up and keep moving.
Right after the earthquake, the situation in communities was grave — everyone was staying outside of their houses in open places. Christian Aid and its partners began their response with immediate temporary shelter, tarpaulins, hygiene kits and food, which was a great relief for the people.
As things moved more towards recovery, we began providing transitional shelters, toilets with bathing spaces so women could have privacy, and agricultural inputs to support people to rebuild their livelihoods. We ran sustained hygiene campaigns to raise awareness.
After two years of work, the livelihoods of people affected by the earthquake were much improved and options for income generation were increasing. Technical skills had been developed — like masonry for shelter construction. Permanent toilets had been provided, while significant efforts had been made to ensure the inclusion of vulnerable groups not reached during the initial response.
Now three years on, with the combined efforts of everyone involved, the situation has improved further: access to water, proper sanitation, safe homes to stay in, safe schools for the children, resilient livelihoods. People have been able to build back better.
Christian Aid and its partners has provided direct assistance to communities — and, encouragingly, our work has been appreciated and replicated by many others too.
Personally, I have learnt a lot. Before the earthquake, I had no experience of working in the humanitarian sector, but now with all the time I have spent in these communities as they have recovered, I have great confidence to work. There were many challenges along the way, but I saw all of those as opportunities to learn.
I was able to support the people affected by the earthquake in a time of need. I feel lucky, proud and privileged to have been part of this recovery process and it will always remain as one of my most memorable times of work in my life.
