Nepal, April 24 -- Many quake victim families who started shelter construction are in a cycle of debt having taken out high interest loans in anticipation of further government aid

Nepal's seismic vulnerability is highlighted by its history of frequent and devastating earthquakes. Over the past 52 years, from 1970 to 2022, the region experienced 843 earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 3 to 5 on the Richter scale, 121 earthquakes between 5 and 6, 11 earthquakes between 6 and 7, and two significant tremors between 7 and 8.

The Sudurpaschim and Karnali provinces are particularly prone to seismic activity, with a notable seismic gap of 500 years indicating potential for future large-scale earthquakes. Recent events include a magnitude ...