Rebuilding after the Nepal earthquake

Surya's story

It was the 25th of April 2015 around noon, when Surya was enjoying her meal at home in Nepal. Suddenly, a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck.

Her father-in-law called to her to get out of the house, but she didn’t make it in time. The roof fell in and trapped her.

Without the help of her mother and father-in-law, the quake would have killed Surya.

Read how Surya managed to survive the 2015 Nepal earthquake and to rebuild her home using ShelterBox aid.

Home after home destroyed


In Surya’s village of Phataksila, the devastation was terrifying. The earthquake had destroyed home after home, while many people went missing.

Her son had been playing outside at the time of the quake, and no one could find him.

As soon as Surya had recovered from the shock of almost dying, she started to look for her son.

Thankfully, he was safe and unharmed. He had been playing in an open field at the time – if he’d been at home, he might not have survived.

The family wasn’t able to salvage much from the house. However, they managed to create a makeshift shelter from old pieces of corrugated iron and wood.

How ShelterBox helped


We were able to help Surya and other families in her village with shelter kits to help mend and create shelters.

In addition, we also provided training on how to use the shelter kits to rebuild homes that were more sturdy.

Surya’s family used the heavy-duty tarpaulin to make a waterproof shelter, which provided them with a sturdy temporary shelter before they created their new home.

Surya not only used the tools included in the kit to help secure the structure, but to dig the fields and replace crops that were destroyed by the power of the quake.

We helped provide shelter for almost 68,000 people left homeless after the Nepal earthquakes.

However, our work never stops. Disasters and conflict around the world mean that there are families in need of shelter 365 days a year.

If another earthquake happened, it wouldn’t be like before. The new shelter is safer and I wouldn’t be trapped again.

Surya

More stories of shelter


Seeking safety in Chad

Hawa’s story

Hawa and her family were forced from their home by the conflict in Sudan. Now in Chad, learn about her experiences and how ShelterBox helped.

Finding a shelter of their own in Yemen

Salwa’s story

Salwa and her family were forced to move many times due to the conflict in Yemen. Learn more about her story and how ShelterBox has helped.

Seeking shelter from the conflict in Yemen

Dawla’s story

After being forced to move several times due to the conflict in Yemen, learn more about Dawla’s story and how ShelterBox have helped.

On the path to recovery after the Türkiye earthquakes

Nurgül’s story

Nurgül and her husband Imam’s home was destroyed in the Turkey earthquakes. Learn more about her story, and how ShelterBox has helped.

Facing drought in the Horn of Africa

Samira's story

Samira and her six children had to flee their home after drought conditions led to conflict. Read their story and how ShelterBox has helped.

Seeking safety from the conflict in Ukraine

Natalia's story

Discover how Natalia and her daughter fled to Moldova from the Ukraine conflict, and the support they received from ShelterBox.