Before and after: Palanchok, Kavre – another village in ruins

The ridge in Palanchok, Kavre district, has been our favourite destination for weekend trips for years, and we’ll always be coming back. But it will never be the same – not in the near future, at least. Situated on a beautiful ridge with green valleys on both sides, Palanchok is home to a sacred goddess and to locals who always welcome visitors with warm hospitality. Now, 90 percent of the village is destroyed. Staying warm and dry during the cold nights, when the ridge is covered by low clouds, is the most immediate issue. Rebuilding the houses is an enormous challenge long-term. These images of before and after the earthquake illustrate why.

We pray that reconstruction in the thousands of destroyed villages will be fast. Right now, the monsoon is approaching – cold, wet night’s are awaiting villagers on ridges and slopes – the urgency of relief is enormous. Many villagers will be without a house for months – we hope it won’t be years.