The Himalayan quake: Key facts

KATMANDU: A year after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake tore through Nepal, millions of people remain homeless. Here are some key facts about the quake and the reconstruction effort.

• Death Toll: The death toll from the earthquake and its aftershocks stands at 8,959. Another 22,303 people were injured.
• Homes Destroyed: More than one million houses suffered severe damage. The quake destroyed 776,895 houses completely while 298,998 dwellings need repairs.
• Lost Heritage: 131 historic monuments were reduced to rubble while another 560 structures require repairs. Work on a few sites in the Katmandu valley has begun, but officials say it will be years before Nepal’s rich architectural heritage is restored.
• Health care: 1,227 health centers were damaged during the quake, severing a lifeline for remote, rural communities. Forty centers have been rebuilt so far, with work in progress on another 100 sites.
• Schools: The disaster destroyed or damaged nearly 8,000 schools, leaving almost one million children without classrooms. A handful of buildings have been repaired but most students still have lessons in bamboo and tin shelters.
• Economy: The earthquake caused losses of $7 billion. Nepal’s economy is now expected to grow by just 1.5 percent over the financial year ending in July 2016, the lowest level since 2007, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
• Foreign Aid: International donors, including India, China, World Bank and ADB, promised $4.1 billion to aid Nepal’s recovery. But the National Reconstruction Authority, the body in charge of spending the funds, was only set up in December.
• Funds Released: Although the government has promised around $2,000 to each household for rebuilding homes, only 641 families have received the first instalment of $500.
• Where Are Victims Living Now: The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies estimates four million people are still living in temporary shelters.