Right to Food Violation by disasters

Nepal is a disaster-prone country and events like the earthquake of November 2023 pose enormous challenges. Due to the strong earthquake in Jajarkot of 3 November 2023 154 people died and 934 were injured. 13,129 buildings were completely and 34,299 partially damaged. Food worth over Rs 92.6 million that was stored in 34,501 households was buried in the earthquake. In Jajarkot alone, as many as 90,567 people were directly affected. More than 1,000 new mothers in Jajarkot are forced to live under tarpaulins. Women, children, people with disabilities, and elderly are most vulnerable. A higher number of women have been affected by the disaster compared to men. For example, among the 105 people who have died in Jajarkot, 72 are women. Households from lower income groups are more vulnerable compared to those who are better off. However, they are not yet rehabilitated properly even after more than a year and as a result, disaster affected women have to focus to manage their families and food rather than other social opportunities such as participation in social activities, income generation, empowerment etc. In Karnali and Sudurpachhim provinces food insecurity increased consequently. Damages of both public and private property have disproportionate impacts on women and children in terms of food insecurity, safe housing/shelter, drinking water and sanitation, basic health facilities and other basic needs such as regular school for children.