The Nepal earthquake of April 2015 and its aftershocks devastated the landlocked Himalayan nation. Around 9000 people were killed, 600,000 were displaced and 1.4 million women of reproductive age were affected.

As the world rushed to help survivors, UNFPA and partners worked to ensure that the needs of women, girls and young people were not forgotten, and that the dignity of women and girls was upheld in all our relief efforts.  

Women emerge stronger 

Rasuwa, Nepal - In the drive to save lives after the huge earthquake of 25 April 2015, Sabina Rimal (25) packed her bags and headed out to help.

As part of a team from the Women’s Human Rights Protection Network, a local NGO, she made for hard-hit Dunche, in the remote Himalayan district of Rasuwa. 

“We were all in shock,” says Rimal. “Many of us lost our homes and relatives, but when we got there, it was clear that their suffering was way worse than ours."

Read her full story.

'Dignity First' and other key lessons

"Some 60% of all preventable maternal deaths worldwide occur during natural disasters, conflict and displacement. Far too many women die through lack of access to basic reproductive healthcare."

Giulia Vallese, our Representative in Nepal, makes a powerful case for putting the dignity of women and girls at the centre of every humanitarian action. 

Read the full blog post in the Huffington Post (UK).

New lives for survivors

Nuwakot, Nepal - After losing her seven-year-old son and her home in the quake, Ishwori Dangol hit rock bottom. 

Seven months pregnant, in increasing pain and afraid she would miscarry, she didn’t know where to turn.

Read her full story. 

The big picture 

One year on from the deadly quake, we've reached over 410,000 people in the 14 hardest-hit districts of Nepal. 

Youth rebuild their country

Read how young volunteers are driving reconstruction in the Huffington Post (UK edition).