Preparedness

Be ready before the ground shakes

Most earthquake injuries are preventable. These steps — for before, during and after a quake — are based on guidance from international and Nepali disaster authorities.

The single most important action: Drop, Cover, Hold On

Drop to hands and knees.

Cover head/neck under sturdy furniture.

Hold On until shaking stops.

Before

Prepare your home and family

During

The moment it strikes

After

Once the shaking stops

Emergency kit checklist

Pack these in a sturdy, easy-to-carry bag for each household. Check it twice a year.

  • Water — 4 litres per person per day, for at least 3 days
  • Non-perishable food for 3 days (beaten rice, biscuits, dry food)
  • Flashlight / torch with spare batteries
  • Battery or hand-crank radio
  • First-aid kit and bandages
  • Essential medicines (1 week) and prescriptions
  • Copies of documents: citizenship, land, insurance
  • Cash in small notes
  • Whistle to signal for help
  • Warm clothes, blanket and rain cover
  • Multi-tool or wrench to shut off gas/water
  • Hygiene and sanitary supplies, soap
  • Phone power bank and cable
  • Dust masks (N95 if possible)
  • Sturdy shoes and work gloves
  • Supplies for babies, elderly and pets
⬇ Kit checklist (PDF) ⬇ Family plan (PDF) ⬇ School & college kit (PDF)

All three are bilingual (EN + नेपाली), designed to print on A4 — post them where people will see them.

Your family emergency plan

  • Pick two meeting points — one just outside your home, one outside your neighbourhood.
  • Choose an out-of-area contact everyone can call or text to check in.
  • Decide who collects the children from school and how.
  • Note locations of your nearest open space, hospital and police post.
  • Teach everyone the emergency numbers and how to shut off utilities.
  • Practise Drop-Cover-Hold and your evacuation route twice a year.

Keep emergency numbers within reach

Save Nepal's emergency and disaster-response numbers on every phone in your home.

See emergency resources
Personalized

Build your household's plan

Answer a few questions and we'll generate a checklist and actions tailored to your home and family — ready to print.

Practice

The 60-second drill

Muscle memory saves seconds, and seconds save lives. Run this guided drill with everyone at home — twice a year is the goal.

Self-check

How ready are you?

Six quick questions to gauge your household's earthquake readiness — and what to fix next.