She has been living in a tent alone after her son and daughter-in-law perished in the quake. “Living in a tent is unbearable during winter. Thick fog and dew drops from the roof make everything inside the tent wet,” she said. “The quake took away my family. I think it is my turn now.”
People of 90 other households in Devitar have been facing similar difficulties. Except for those living in the two concrete houses spared by the quake, every other families in the VDC live in makeshift shelters. Their hopes that the government would help them rebuild their houses are fading.
“People endured the unbearable heat during summer by sleeping outside. However, it seems impossible to escape the wrath of this winter,” said former VDC secretary Dawa Lama, adding that children and elderly people have been affected the most.
Most families in the neighboring Raviopi VDC are also grappling with similar hardships as they, too, are living in tents.
“The government hasn't provided us with additional relief even nine months after the quake. We will not survive this harsh climate without some relief materials for the winter,” said Dhalak Prasad Koirala of Ravi Opi-4.
According to the victims, the quake had affected ward no. 4 and 5 of the VDC the most. “If we don't manage to build homes within two months our situation will grow worse. The strong winds of April will easily blow away our tents,” added Koirala.
Although patients of asthma, cough and cold are increasing rapidly, local health posts do not have enough medicines. “The medicines received as relief will soon run out. We will not be able to treat patients if we don't get more medicines from the district,” said Netra Prashad Sapkota, in-charge of Devitar Health Post.
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