The initial need is overwhelming, but the ongoing support required will also be significant. Many people have lost family members, homes, schools, medical facilities and the land they depend on for their livelihoods.

Would you consider financially supporting the work INF is doing in this challenging situation?

INF New Zealand is raising funds to send to INF Nepal, who are involved in the disaster relief work. If you are able to help, please deposit funds into the following account:

Account name: Humanitarian Aid Trust
Account number: 02 0820 0486456 00
Reference: Flooding
Code: Your surname

Thank you for considering this request.

Sean Marston and the INF New Zealand Board

The post Nepal Flood Appeal appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

The leprosy screening camp was organized in Sarkeghat Municipality, covering two health posts located in different wards. A total of 283 individuals were screened for leprosy and other skin-related conditions. Despite the challenging terrain and limited infrastructure, the SHIS team, in close coordination with local health facilities and local government ensured that the camp ran efficiently and reached those most in need.

During the screening, four new cases of leprosy were identified and recorded for follow-up treatment and counseling. The team also reviewed existing leprosy cases within the community, ensuring that ongoing treatments were on track and effective. Furthermore, two patients requiring reconstructive surgery were referred to Green Pastures Hospital (GPH).

In addition to direct case detection, the team carried out active contact examinations for both new and previously diagnosed leprosy cases. This proactive approach plays a vital role in preventing the spread of infection within families and communities, while also raising awareness about the importance of early diagnosis and consistent treatment.

Beyond leprosy, the camp also served as an opportunity to address other common dermatological conditions found in the area. The most frequently diagnosed conditions included urticaria, eczema, and scabies, reflecting the widespread need for dermatological services and public health education in rural areas.

The successful completion of this camp highlights how important it is to reach marginalized and remote communities like those in Humla. Through such outreach efforts, the team not only provides essential medical services but also strengthens local capacity and community awareness about skin health and leprosy prevention.

Participants expressed their satisfaction with the camp’s activities and appreciated the efforts made by the SHIS team. Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs) and mothers’ group members shared that the orientation sessions had increased their understanding of leprosy its causes, symptoms, and treatment. They also expressed their commitment to actively disseminate this knowledge within their communities, helping to reduce stigma and encourage early reporting of suspected cases.

To further strengthen community engagement, the team distributed informational chase cards designed to support continued awareness and education efforts at the local level. Health workers and municipal representatives also appreciated the initiative, acknowledging its relevance to the needs of the community. They expressed willingness to collaborate in future activities, ensuring sustained efforts against leprosy and related health challenges.

Adding to the impact, a local news channel covered the completion of the camp, bringing broader visibility to the initiative and helping to raise public awareness and participation across the district.

Due to the impact and importance of this initial camp INF New Zealand has committed to sponsoring another camp in 2026. If you are interested in supporting another camp in 2026 then click here:

https://www.hatnepal.co.nz/donations/leprosy-screening-camp/

The post INF New Zealand Sponsored Leprosy Screening Camp appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

Rekha’s father works in India to help the family. Her mother and sister earn money by doing local work. Her younger brother studies in class 10 at a nearby government school. But Rekha has faced more than just poverty. When she was only two years old, she lost the ability to walk. One day, while her parents were out working, she fell down the stairs. Soon after, she had a high fever. The family didn’t have money to take her to the hospital. The fever went away, but it had already done damage. Slowly, Rekha lost movement in her lower body. Since then, she has depended on her family for everything.

As she grew older, Rekha really wanted to go to school like her brother. Her father took her to Shree Saraswati Primary School. She was happy and excited. But that didn’t last long. The school had no accessible toilets or proper classrooms. Rekha had to relieve herself in the classroom. She felt ashamed and her classmates made fun of her. After just two days, she dropped out. Later, she got some help from INF Nepal’s Shining Hospital. They gave her physiotherapy and a wheelchair. But the roads around her home were too steep and rough. She couldn’t use the wheelchair. It stayed unused at home.

Then something changed. INF Nepal Access and Inclusion Project team heard about Rekha. The team leader and staff came to her house. They listened to her story and offered real help. They made her house and school wheelchair-friendly. Now, Rekha is back in school. She has joined class one again. She moves around proudly in her wheelchair. At home, she can now bathe, cook, wash clothes, and use the toilet all by herself. She no longer needs help for daily activities. At school, her classmates treat her like a friend, not someone different. Rekha is doing well. With a big smile, she says, “I have received a new life because of the support from the project and the hospital.”

The post Wheels of Hope: How Rekha Found Her Way Back to School appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

INF Nepal has been at the forefront of promoting ICS in the districts of Rolpa and Bajura. Last year alone, 792 ICS were distributed, with remarkable results: firewood consumption dropped by 57%, from 3,440 kg to just 1,946 kg, and women saved around 15.7 hours each month. Women like Khem Maya Rokaya from Bajura are already feeling the difference: “The amount of time and firewood needed has been reduced thanks to the ICS. I can now finish my household work faster, and I’m grateful to INF Nepal for their support,” she shared.

By adopting ICS, communities are not only improving the health and well-being of women but also reducing their environmental impact, making everyday tasks more efficient, and contributing to a brighter, more sustainable future for all.

To support this project: https://www.hatnepal.co.nz/donations/smokeless-stoves/

The post Khem Maya Rokaya: The Impact of Improved Cooking Stoves appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

Determined not to give up, Kal crafted a wooden leg for himself, hoping it would allow him to carry on. But despite his ingenuity, life became more difficult. Financial and household responsibilities shifted to his parents and wife, and his attempts to work by grazing cows and goats were hindered by the sores caused by the painful wooden leg. That’s when INF Nepal’s CHD Project stepped in. Through the Nadegufa Disability Group and collaboration with INF’s Jumla branch and Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara, Kal received an artificial leg that restored much of his mobility.

With his new prosthetic leg, Kal regained the ability to walk and take part in daily activities, including tending to his cattle. “I can now walk without a stick and work like others. My family and neighbours are happy to see me doing well,” he says with a sense of pride. Krishna Rawat, chairperson of the Self-Help Group, adds, “Supporting Kal has brought joy to his family and the community, and it shows that INF Nepal stands by those who need help the most.”

Kal’s journey is just one example of the broader impact of CHD’s work. Last year alone, 357 individuals with disabilities received assistive devices, restoring their mobility and independence, while 225 people were granted disability cards, enabling access to vital services such as social security and healthcare.

The post Kal Bahadur’s Triumph: Reclaiming Independence with a New Leg appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

Forty-two years old, Ganga Lawar is from Dadatol in Bajura. Being a single mother, she shoulders the responsibility of her household with grace and strength. Ganga’s life took a difficult turn when her husband passed away six years ago due to illness while they were in India. Since then, she has been the sole breadwinner for her family and has been taking responsibility for her three daughters, all studying at the secondary level.

Returning to Nepal and to her village, Ganga faced the challenging task of managing the household and sustaining their livelihood. With just 0.06 Acre of farming land, most of it marginal, uneven and hilly, the prospect for earning through farming appeared grim. Recognizing the limitations of land-based income, she ventured into goat rearing, starting with just two goats.

Ganga joined the Ekitrit Lagani farmers group, where she actively participated in group activities and also made monthly savings. However, the intervention of INF Nepal’s Climate Change Adaptation and Livelihood Project into her community was the turning point for her and many others like her who were marginalized. Through active participation in the group, she became more integrated into her community. Her group, comprising of other members from dalit community including herself, was selected for support under the project. Through the project, Ganga gained access to training and resources related to modern goat farming practices. This involvement in the farmers group not only provided her with valuable support networks but also amplified her voice within her community, empowering her as a woman.

The training provided through the project not only enhanced her knowledge but also improved her skills as a livestock farmer, empowering her to manage her Goat farming more efficiently. With the initial grant support of Rs. 25,000 [USD 188] from the project, she further invested in her goat farming venture. Utilizing modern goat shed materials, and planting grass for the feed she ensured better care for her livestock. She later expanded her herd from two goats to ten goats, leveraging additional support from the provincial government for Dalit communities. By investing in goat rearing, she diversified her income streams and tapped into a sustainable livelihood option that suited her circumstances and skills.

The results were promising, Ganga sold several goats, earning a total of Rs. 60,000 [USD 450] to date. The initial grant enabled her to expand her goat farming venture, leading to increased income generation. With a steady source of revenue from goat sales, Ganga gained financial stability, allowing her to meet the needs of her household without relying solely on land-based income. This income not only supported her household expenses but also enabled her to invest in her eldest daughter’s education and cover other essential costs. As Ganga’s goat farming flourished, so did her confidence in her abilities. The success she achieved through the support of INF Nepal’s project boosted her self-esteem and motivated her to strive for further growth and success.

With the regular saving habits, Ganga has managed to save Rs. 22,000 [ USD 165] in her bank account. Today, Ganga’s life revolves around her thriving goat farming venture. With a newfound sense of financial security and stability, she faces each day with confidence, free from the uncertainties that once plagued her.

If you would like to support work that INF does in Bajura please click here

Empowerment for women like Ganga means gaining control over their lives, making informed choices, and having the resources and opportunities to pursue their goals. It involves not only economic independence but also social and emotional well-being, as women like Ganga gain confidence, and a sense of belonging within their communities. Through small but targeted support, organizations like INF Nepal play a crucial role in enabling women from marginalized communities to realize their potential, contribute to their households and communities, and ultimately, lead more fulfilling lives. Ganga’s increased income allowed her to invest in her children’s education, highlighting how empowerment extends beyond individual women to benefit their families as a whole. By prioritizing education, Ganga ensured a brighter future for her daughters, breaking the cycle of poverty and empowering future generations.

The post Bajura Climate Change, Adaptation & Livelihood Project appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

This inspiring true story starts there, hundreds of kilometres from Kathmandu, with a common, overwhelming problem. It ends with a solution that holds out hope for some of Nepal’s poorest communities — those that cling to the soaring sides of its lonely, arid mountains.

The problem was accessing water. It was available but from the river down hills so steep they were more like cliffs. Often girls were required to carry water, leaving less time for school. Elderly or infirm villagers were vulnerable. And without water, the village was trapped in poverty, unable to irrigate land or sustain its people.
When INF visited Lakhudanda, though, they met Gajendra. Gajendra saw that if the rainfall over the village could be captured in a particular type of concrete tank, it could sustain them far into the future. The steep terrain had previously made that impossible, but Gajendra had an ambitious plan and he shared it with us. After careful assessment, INF Nepal agreed to try.

Neighbours were sceptical. The work was brutally hard. Sand for the water tank had to be dug from the river on the plains below, then painstakingly carried up narrow tracks on the mountainside by donkey.

Immense challenges plagued the work at every turn. In the words of the INF Nepal team, as though the intimidating slope was not enough, “colossal rocks loom all around”, making every aspect of the task harder. In the end, Gajendra says it took the fierce determination and combined grit of the villagers, the local ward office and INF Nepal to see it through.

“We overcame every obstacle to construct this tank, a standing testament to our collective perseverance.”

The post Water – Changing Lives In Lakhudanda appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

According to the latest Situation Report from Disaster Preparedness Network, Nepal, the earthquake resulted in the tragic loss of 153 lives, with 357 reported injuries. A total of 26,557 houses were completely destroyed, and 35,455 were partially damaged.

The disaster significantly harmed crucial infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, healthcare centres, and administrative structures. Despite challenges such as shortages of oxygen cylinders and adequate hospital beds, security forces and medical teams swiftly conducted rescue and relief operations.

Demonstrating high-level concern, the President and Prime Minister of Nepal personally visited the affected areas, providing direct oversight of the ongoing relief operations. The government swiftly released a relief package of NPR 100 million to bolster these efforts, earmarked explicitly for search and rescue endeavours.

Notably, foreign governments and international organisations have expressed solidarity by extending their support or affirming their commitment to aid the affected communities in immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation initiatives.

INF Nepal has regularly coordinated with provincial, district, and local government authorities and has been on the ground since day one. INF has been actively engaged in the immediate distribution of relief items, fostering collaboration with diverse government and non-government stakeholders and positioning itself for the impacted communities’ extensive recovery and rehabilitation needs.

Here are some of INF’s response activities:

• Food Distribution: On 6th November, INF Nepal distributed ready-to-eat food items, including noodles, biscuits, nutrition food, and beaten rice, to 100 families in Nalgad Municipality Ward No. 6, Jajarkot.
• Essential Relief Items: On 11th November, INF Nepal distributed 100 tarpaulins, 300 warm caps, 1200 square meters of mattresses, 2400 meters of ropes, and 200 warm blankets to 150 families in Nalgad Municipality Ward No. 8, Jajarkot.
• Fiber Blanket Distribution: On 12th November, 200 fibre blankets were distributed in Bheri Municipality Ward 6, Jajarkot.
• Disability Support: INF Nepal is collaborating with the National Federation of Disabled–Nepal (NFDN) Surkhet to address the needs of persons with disability.

INF Nepal’s short-term plan

• Winterisation package distribution: With the winter season underway and reported deaths among earthquake-affected individuals in temporary shelters due to cold weather, INF is gearing up to address the situation. The initiative involves distributing winterisation packages containing warm blankets, pillows, bed covers, mattresses, and warm caps. This effort targets 500 families, with 300 in Jajarkot and 200 in West Rukum, aiming for completion by the end of the first week of December 2023.
• Beneficiary finalisation: A team will be deployed to Jajarkot and West Rukum to finalise beneficiaries and assess the number of persons with disabilities.
• Shelter construction training: A three-day training programme for staff and volunteers will enhance immediate shelter construction capabilities.
• CGI sheet support: INF Nepal aims to provide CGI sheet support for immediate shelter construction for 50 houses in Jajarkot.

As INF Nepal remains committed to providing immediate relief and contributing to long-term recovery efforts, the organisation seeks support from its partners to address the urgent and evolving needs of the affected communities.

The post INF Nepal’s Ongoing Support to Earthquake-Affected Communities appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

Bhita isn’t the first young woman to die during menstrual isolation. Chhaupadi, which has its roots in religious traditions, excludes women and girls from all contact with their families and community while they menstruate. They are considered ‘untouchable’ and are permitted no contact with food, religious icons, animals, or other people. During their isolation, the women are confined to small ‘period huts’ on the fringes of their village, which have no heating, electricity, or lighting.

After decades of campaigning, the practise is now illegal, but there’s little appetite for enforcement by police.

“We try and tell our parents that this isn’t the right way,” says Bibhu, one of the young women who takes part in leadership mentoring with our partner Welfare Association for Children, Tikapur (WACT). “But it’s very hard because they say that this is something our communities have practised for a long time.”

Bibhu and other young leaders want to end the practise once and for all. With the support and encouragement of the team at WACT, they raise awareness of the rights of children and young people through street dramas and discussion at their high school; they have engaged parents in education sessions in their homes.

“When this happens to us, we can’t do our school lessons,” Bibhu explains. “There’s no electricity to do lessons at night. We have to wait for other people to bring us food and water. We can be in isolation for a week if our menstruation is long.”

Both the young men and women of Bibhu’s group are united in their desire to see the practise ended. “No one should be treated this way,” says 16 year old Sunam. “We are determined to put an end to chhaupadi and we are thankful to our team leaders for giving us support to speak up.”

The post Young People Unite Against Chhaupadi appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.

As a young woman, Parvati got married at the tender age of 18. Within a year of her marriage, she found herself embracing motherhood. Unfortunately, her village lacked the convenience of a nearby birthing centre. When the time came for her labour, she experienced prolonged difficulties delivering her child within the confines of her own home.

Despite the desperate attempts of a villager to help her, the situation remained dire. The following day, Parvati was transported to Dhangadi, the province capital, where her child was delivered, albeit lifeless. Tragically, this painful event marked the onset of an added affliction–urinary incontinence.

Returning home without her baby, Parvati carried the weight of grief and faced the burden of persistent urinary leakage. Her family sought medical assistance in various hospitals, yet her condition remained unremedied, enduring for a gruelling six months. Eventually, over time, her incontinence miraculously healed on its own.

Two years after her first delivery, she once again embraced the prospect of motherhood. This time, however, her husband took proactive measures to ensure her well-being. They moved near the hospital one month before her expected delivery date, with her husband providing unwavering support.

Parvati underwent a cesarean section upon admission to the hospital to bring her daughter into the world. Tragically, the surgery rekindled her urinary incontinence, a secret she hesitated to divulge to her family out of shame. Eventually, her husband and other family members discovered her predicament, yet they neglected to pursue further medical intervention. Preoccupied with the birth of their daughter and the enduring incontinence, they failed to address her needs adequately.

In later years, Parvati found herself pregnant once again. She and her husband journeyed to Dhangadi, living near the hospital in anticipation of the birth. This time, she underwent a lower segment cesarean section, delivering a son. Overjoyed by the arrival of their long-awaited son, her husband and family members diligently cared for her well-being.

However, the weight of Parvati’s condition continued to affect her life. The persistent odour of urine deterred her from engaging in social activities such as visiting neighbours, attending gatherings, or even partaking in religious ceremonies. Her existence remained unchanged, with her children growing up and establishing their own families.

Parvati endured the burden of urinary incontinence throughout these years, and her grandchildren grew aware of her condition. They would candidly remark in their innocence, “Grandmother, you have wet yourself and carry a foul odour.” Helpless and unsure of a solution, she felt trapped in her circumstances.
However, a glimmer of hope illuminated her path when a fellow woman from her village attended an orientation programme on fistula. Upon learning of Parvati’s plight, this woman shared information about a free obstetric fistula treatment available at the Surkhet Fistula Treatment Centre. Grateful for this lifeline, Parvati contacted the centre and conveyed her struggles to the staff over the phone.

The staff at the Fistula Treatment Centre assured her that they could provide the necessary treatment for her obstetric fistula. Overwhelmed with joy and newfound hope, Parvati eagerly prepared to travel to the centre, accompanied by her 29-year-old son.

Upon their arrival at the Fistula Treatment Centre, Parvati underwent a thorough examination by a skilled doctor who confirmed the presence of the obstetric fistula. The doctor recommended surgery as the most effective solution.
Parvati spent 14 days recovering after the surgery with a catheter in place. She experienced a transformative moment during this time—her struggles with urinary incontinence ended.

When the catheter was finally removed, she discovered she could pass urine naturally and without leakage. A sense of profound relief washed over her as she realised that, after 35 long years, she was finally free from the shackles of fistula.

The post Beneath The Burden – A Journey Of Healing From Obstetric Fistula appeared first on HAT - Humanitarian Aid Trust Nepal.