Salvation Army Sindhupalchok Assessment Report – May 2-4 2015
Overview & Background- The Sindhupalchok area, which is located east of
Kathmandu and immediately south of the China border, accounts for the majority of confirmed deaths of the recent Nepalese earthquakes, now at about 1,800.
Seemingly countless villages are scattered across this mountainous landscape, which reach altitudes as high as ~9000 ft, making access even more difficult.
Pre-earthquake, most of these villages were accessible by four-wheel drive, however, landslides (which are common in this area) have been triggered by the earthquake and have destroyed many of these roads making access only possible by foot or helicopter. Landslides are common in this area.
The Salvation Army sent a 3-man scout team into the northern-eastern
Sindhupalchok area on May 2-4 th to assess some of these hard-to-reach villages.
Summary of Key Findings-
90-100% of all homes in the area are either completely destroyed or significantly damaged to the degree of no longer being safe to live in. Most of those who have not evacuated the area are living in makeshift shelters. All villages have asked for Tarps.
Many of the villages have huge amounts of potato crops currently growing.
The concern here is that the crops are still 2-3 months away from being mature, and therefore residents are using what food they have or can gather from their destroyed homes. In that the roads are no longer available for 4x4 delivery, food will have to be carried in by hand or delivered by helicopter.
There are a few villages who have reported only having a few days left of food. I think a single food distribution to help bridge the gap to harvest season will be required in most of the villages.
Most of the villages have lost electricity, though strangely, many still have cell network service. Solar powered lights and chargers would be extremely helpful.
Upon assessing one village it was determined that a medical evacuation was required for a woman with a chest infection and a young boy with a severe foot laceration that appeared to be infected. Michael reported the GPS location to a medical contact in Kathmandu who then arranged for the helicopter evacuation, which occurred later that afternoon (May 4 th ). There are still a number of residents that have minor wounds (lacerations, head injuries, broken limbs etc) that will require some medical attention.
Michael donated two Solar Powered Charging Units to key contacts a
Baldoong and Listikot. This will help restore some communication as cell network in these areas is good, and they just needed a way to charge their phones. Communication with these villiages

Water is not a concern for most of the villages. There are many fresh water resources in abundance.
Logged Details-
Baldoong (GPS – 27.884984, 85.880094)
9 Dead
96 homes, Approximately 250 people remain
Water is good
No road access
No Electricity
Limited food (they were digging through the rubble to scavenge it)
Need Tarps and Food
Asked for Clothing
Solar Lights
No Aid received as of 5-4-15
The Locals here said that if we can bring in supplies to the bungee bridge, they would be willing to carry it up to their village, would take about 1-2 hours each way depending on how much weight they are carrying.
Contact: Chameri 9841330780
Listikot- (GPS- 27.893883, 85.872413)
3 Dead, 2 injured and evacuated
100 homes, 900 people.
Nearly all homes destroyed. They are trying to rebuild what they can with what can, but it
No Road access
Water supply is excellent
Asking for Tarps, tools and food
Crops will be ready in about 2-3 months
They had a very small delivery of food by helicopter (apparently a private citizen), about 90KG of rice, 2 dozen tarps and some noodles. We watched them fight over it.
In the end they decided to give it to the most needy among them.
Listikot took us about 4 hours to hike to. While it might be possible to carry aid into this location, it wouldn’t be recommened. They have an area that would support a large helicopter landing.
Contact is Rejindra Subedi
- 9851150804

Sambung- (GPS- 27.903653, 85.858451)
6 Dead, 4 men and 2 female, had helicopter evacuation right after earthquake
They said there was 13 homes, but they have about 200 people here, some of which have gathered from other areas. They are currently living in a small tent city at location (GPS – 27.906214, 85.857052)
All homes destroyed
Water is good
No Road Access, no electricity
Asking for Food and Tarps
Woman with Respiratory Isssues and Boy with infected foot laceration were med-evacuated shortly after the assessment
Chagam- (GPS- 27.922446, 85.864038)
4 People Dead
About 500 people are still here (about 300 of which are Buddist Nuns, called
Annis)
No Road Access
Water supply is good
Food supply is about 2 weeks
Crops will take about 2-3 months to mature
School is destroyed
They need Tarps and food to last until their crops are ready
Note: I don’t see how there is any possible way to carry enough food to this location for the required amount of people and time needed. Helicopter landing is strongly recommended, and a large helicopter can land at these coordinates:
Heli Landing Site (GPS- 27.922917, 85.863259)
Contacts:
Carsong Sherpa – 9840073880
Noah – 9741190907
Bagham- (GPS – 27.919172, 85.869767)
No Deaths here
All homes destroyed
About 110 people still living here
Water is OK
No road access
They are Scavenging for food among ruins, say they have about 2-3 days worth

They want Tarps, food and clothing
This will take about 7-8 hours to walk to from the suspension bridge, I do not see how carrying aid in is reasonable.
Contact: Pemba – 9741141825, Landline: 9741194252
Pawo Gumba- (GPS 27.903185, 85.878758)
2 Dead
About 250 People living here, 72 “Sherpa Homes”, and 32 normal homes.
They say about 5 are intact
This is the local temple center for the area; they have a huge temple that has collapsed on itself.
They say they have about 2 weeks of food.
No road access, they do however have vehicles and motorcycles to move things around.
Say their crops will be ready in about 1-2 months
Asking for Tarps and Food
They also say they can walk to the bungee bridge and carry goods up
Contact: Pinglama, 9751074785, 9841762149
(He is also the contact for Shildum and Darapani)
Sildhum – (GPS- 27.900924, 85.891042)
70-80 people here in a tent city, technically and statistically part of Pao Gumba, but this location ia a significant distance away.
3-4 injured / sick people here. Not critical, but they do appear to be improving
Darapani- (GPS 27.901595, 85.899821)
- 2 dead
- 50-60 People living in a tent city
- They have to walk a significant distance for their water supply. (It might be reparable with black water tubing)
- Say they have about 2 days of food, unsure of what they will do when it runs out.
-There is a boy here with a gaping head injury. It looks to be manageable, but should probably be treated. There is also a man with a head and a foot injury, possible toe amputation.