3-Day Workshop on Earthquake Preparedness in Karnali Province

Karnali Province, one of Nepal’s most remote and geographically challenging regions, is highly susceptible to natural disasters. The province is characterized by rugged mountainous terrain and scattered settlements, which makes access to aid and infrastructure development difficult. The recent 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Jajarkot and Surkhet districts on November 3, 2023, caused significant destruction, with over 3,000 homes destroyed and hundreds of lives lost. The lack of resilient infrastructure, combined with the region’s isolation, has made recovery efforts slow and arduous, leaving many communities, especially those in remote areas, struggling to rebuild their lives.
To address these ongoing challenges, Pahichan Nepal organized a 3-day village-level workshop on earthquake preparedness, held from February 22 to 24, 2025, in Jajarkot and Surkhet. The workshop focused on the needs of women with disabilities and the importance of disability-inclusive disaster management. The event brought together local stakeholders, disability advocacy groups, and women with disabilities to discuss strategies for improving disaster preparedness and ensuring that marginalized groups are included in recovery efforts. The geographical hardships of Karnali, along with the lack of accessible infrastructure and services, highlight the need for resilient disaster management that can support all members of the community, particularly those who are most vulnerable in times of crisis.