Survivors have begun rebuilding their homes, communities, and livelihoods – but as another hazardous Himalayan winter looms, urgent efforts are needed to ensure that people stay safe and the reconstruction process is not derailed. During the emergency phase, Oxfam International helped almost one million men, women, and children by providing water and sanitation facilities, winterized tents and transitional shelter kits, and livelihood support. However, the progress of recovery has been patchy, and the pace of construction of housing and infrastructure has been slow. At least 1.8 million people have not begun rebuilding their homes; most of them are in makeshift shelters that offer limited protection against the coming cold. Last winter was relatively kind; this one is predicted less likely to be. Urgent action is needed to ensure that communities are safe, warm and healthy this winter.
