A 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal on April 25, 2015. It was the worst earthquake to strike Nepal in 80 years and was followed by a series of more than 400 major aftershocks through November 2015. It’s thought that another large earthquake could occur at any time in the future due to the region’s geographic location. The area is also vulnerable to other disasters (flooding, landslides, and drought), which are predicted to be more severe and frequent due to global climate change.

To put it more specifically, out of the 75 districts of Nepal, the earthquake affected 31 (14 severely). And the total losses and damages caused by the quake were enormous: 9,000+ people lost their lives, 22,000 were injured, and more than 900,000 houses, 8,000 schools and 1,000 health centers in the country were destroyed. ANSAB (Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources) assessed the damage in the Dolakha, Sindhupalchok and Kavrepalanchok districts within a week after the earthquake and determined that approximately 85% of the total houses were damaged in 33 villages and municipalities in these districts forcing about 25,000 households to seek temporary shelter under tents. 

Melissa, who traveled to the quake-ravaged territory earlier this year says that while she was in a very remote area in the mountains learning about the endangered Red Panda habitat, there was a small quake. “Talk about feeling small and vulnerable,” she says. "It brought into sharp focus how resilient the people of Nepal are. They don’t project fear; they’re humble and gentle, and the combination is really powerful.”