Written by Arun Rai 

Sita, 32, resides with her family in Sani Bheri Rural Municipality of Rukum West, among the hundreds impacted by the devastating earthquake that struck Jajarkot and Rukum West on November 3, 2023. "The earthquake didn’t just rattle our homes; it shook my family's dreams and future," shares Sita.

"The sharp tremors woke us all. The walls were violently shaking, and debris of the ceiling rained down like a torrent of water," recalls Sita, describing the horrifying night that took their home. "My eldest daughter and I rushed out, but the other three children, due to their disabilities, were trapped inside. We had to drag them out." Amongst her four children, her 14 years old son, 8 years old daughter and 4 years old son were born with multiple disability. “Imagine getting them out of the house during an earthquake, as they have problem moving around,” exclaims, Sita.

While it was a close call for Sita’s family, their real ordeal began with the onset of freezing cold as winter arrived. "After the earthquake, we had to live in a small goat shed, fearing to stay inside our home with deep cracks. We shivered all night without warm clothes and blankets," reminisces Sita. "The dew seeped through the zinc roof, adding to our misery."

Sita worries about her family’s future, "My husband works in Malaysia, and we struggle to provide the bare minimum for our children. Now, without a roof over our heads, the harsh winter felt like a curse," laments Sita. "Seeing my children barely clothed, lying on the thin folded tarpaulin in the damp courtyard, broke my heart. Also, it is always a challenge to ensure that my children who live with disability are safe and sound.”

Despite these adversities, the winter tents distributed by Save the Children, through the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO), brought solace to Sita and her family. As part of the humanitarian assistance, ECHO, via Save the Children, provided 800 life-saving tents to earthquake-affected families in Jajarkot and Rukum West. These fireproof, waterproof, stove-equipped tents are spacious enough for a family of five, ideal for harsh winters.

"The tent has brought immense relief. Now, my children can stay warm. It shields us from dew and dampness, and we can cook and eat inside. Most importantly, it has provided us with some stability, as now, I can be assured that my children, especially the three who have disability can be safe and warm inside the tent," says Sita, her eyes gleaming as she gazes at her new winter tent.

Rai is the Communications and Behavior Change Manager at Save the Children.