With a population of almost 30 million, Nepal is one of the world’s 50 least developed countries. An estimated 44 percent of the Nepalese population lives below the poverty line with 50 percent of children under the age of five suffering from malnutrition.
Oxfam has been supporting the people of Nepal for more than 30 years with the vision to create a just society without poverty, in which all women and men live a life of dignity, enjoy their rights and assume their responsibilities as active citizens of Nepal.
Through its Sustainable Development Programme, Earthquake Response Programme and Media, Advocacy and Campaigning, Oxfam in Nepal aims to provide people with livelihood opportunities, ensuring that development-related activities are demand-driven and sustainable, and that the most vulnerable are empowered to claim their rights.
Earthquake Response
On 25 April, 2015, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Nepal, followed by hundreds of aftershocks. Nearly 9,000 people lost their lives, more than 22,000 were injured and more than 890,000 houses were damaged or destroyed.
Oxfam's earthquake contingency plan was triggered and teams responded within 24 hours. Our earthquake response covers seven of the 14 most-affected districts.
Initially Oxfam's response focused on immediate life-saving relief for worst-hit communities. Since then, the response has focused on recovery and reconstruction.
We continue to work with local people, our partners and the government to ensure that Nepal builds back stronger than before.

Bimala Balami is one of the many Nepalese women involved in rebuilding community services through Oxfam’s Cash for Work scheme under the Earthquake Response Programme. Photo: Kieran Doherty/Oxfam