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Temporary shelter kit distribution completed

Habitat for Humanity has completed distribution of temporary shelter kits to earthquake affected families in Nepal.

Habitat has been working in five of Nepal’s worst-affected districts and has distributed more than 5,000 kits. The kits included items such as corrugated iron roofing sheets, iron rods and coiled wire – all of which can be re-used in the construction of permanent houses. Habitat has also started construction of the first permanent houses as well as continues to assist with rubble removal activities.

For families such as Bikash’s (pictured above), the temporary shelter kits have made a world of difference. Bikash, his wife and three month baby have been living in their temporary shelter for just over a month in Laipur district.

When the earthquake struck on April 25, Bikash was working in the capital Kathmandu, about 15 kilometres away from his home. He was alarmed when he could not get through to his heavily pregnant wife, Bidhya on his mobile phone. “I walked all the way home because there was no public or private transport,” he recalled.

When he finally reached his village, he was shocked to find his house had been reduced to rubble. Bikash managed to locate his wife some distance away, waiting in the open with hundreds of other people who had lost their homes or were afraid to return to them.

Bikash and his wife Bidhya shared a tent with 10 other people after the earthquake. Bidhya gave birth soon after the earthquake, but with nowhere to go the family stayed in the tent for four months. Whenever it rained, they would get wet and their newborn baby, Birsha was often down with a cold or a fever.

Now with their own shelter, the family have privacy and security and can start to rebuild their lives and return to normalcy.

“This might be a temporary shelter. But it’s a strong one. Rainwater doesn’t come in and my baby’s health has improved,” he said.

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