Homes destroyed, recovery will take time
Shelter has emerged as the most urgent recovery challenge. More than half households surveyed said their home was damaged and no longer safe to live in. A further 18% said their home had been completely destroyed.
As a result, many people are living in temporary shelters, public spaces or outdoors. Nearly four in five households said they need support to repair or rebuild their homes, highlighting the scale of the recovery effort still ahead, and many believe it will take more than six months before they can return to stable housing.
Water shortages are affecting daily life
Access to safe water remains a major concern. Almost half of surveyed households said they do not have enough water to meet their needs, while many rely on water trucks or bottled water as their main source of drinking water. Nearly half also reported illnesses linked to water and sanitation problems since the earthquake.
Many households are also struggling to access basic hygiene items and sanitation facilities, making recovery even more difficult for older people and people with disabilities.
Health needs continue long after the emergency
Many older people were already managing long-term health conditions before the earthquakes. The assessment found that 69% of older people regularly take medication for chronic illnesses, while 60% of households with older people reported that someone requires ongoing medical care.
Access to medicines, healthcare services, rehabilitation support and assistive products such as walking aids will be essential as communities recover.
The hidden toll on wellbeing
The assessment found high levels of emotional distress among families affected by the earthquakes. More than eight in ten households reported that at least one family member was showing signs of distress, including fear, sadness or difficulty sleeping. In many families, both older people and children were experiencing these challenges at the same time.
Older people also face heightened risks of isolation and neglect. Damage to roads and infrastructure can restrict mobility and access to support, while the loss of family members may reduce the social and care networks they rely on.
The assessment found that concerns about neglect and difficulties accessing services become more common as people age, particularly among those aged 80 and above.
Older people face barriers to accessing aid
While most households reported receiving some form of assistance, many older people still struggle to access support. More than a third of households said older family members face barriers that prevent them from reaching aid distribution points. These challenges include long distances, mobility difficulties and long queues.
Women aged 80 and over face particularly significant barriers when accessing distribution points. The assessment also found that some of the oldest people surveyed live alone without family support, increasing their risk of isolation and exclusion.
People want to rebuild their lives
Despite the challenges, the assessment found a strong commitment to recovery. More than 70% of households said they want to remain in their communities and rebuild their lives where they are.
When asked about longer-term priorities, people identified home repairs, cash assistance, construction materials and livelihood support as the most important forms of help. Many households said that, if cash assistance becomes available, they would use it primarily to repair their homes, buy food or restore income-generating activities.
What needs to happen next
The assessment calls on humanitarian organisations to:
- Make assistance easier for older people to access through home delivery, mobile outreach, accessible information and priority access.
- Support the repair of safe and accessible homes, while ensuring temporary shelters are dignified and accessible.
- Maintain access to healthcare, medicines, rehabilitation and assistive products.
- Improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene items.
- Expand emotional and practical support for older people, children and caregivers.
- Provide accessible cash assistance, where approved, so older people can meet their priority needs with dignity and independence.
Older people’s needs, experiences and priorities must be at the centre of the response, so they can recover safely, rebuild their lives and continue contributing to their communities.
