Overview
- Officials say the twin quakes that struck on June 24 measured 7.2 and 7.5 and have left roughly 4,500–4,700 people dead, about 16,700 injured, and nearly 18,000 without homes.
- Search-and-rescue teams have largely wound down active searches after rescuing about 6,400–6,500 people and are now focused on body recovery, rubble clearance and registering people for housing support.
- Health systems are overwhelmed with at least 38 hospitals damaged, urgent needs for treatment of injuries and infections, and rising demand for chronic care and mental health services that mobile clinics are trying to meet.
- Religious groups, local volunteers and international NGOs are running shelters, clinics and distribution centers while deliveries of foreign aid, including recent Russian shipments, face delays from damaged airports, ports and a shortage of heavy equipment.
- The government is pressing to access frozen assets held abroad to finance reconstruction, a move that raises legal and diplomatic hurdles that could delay long-term rebuilding and jobs for affected communities.