Reaching out

Earthquake relief

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For almost five years or so, predictions regarding a major earthquake were made by several research agencies. Our ministers and technocrats have attended training programs and conferences on disaster management or preparedness. Even a month back, French research organizations presented some findings on earthquake related research to the Nepal Geological Society. How prepared have we been is a completely different issue though. As many families use their hands to remove the rubble for evacuating trapped people, the latest official figures put the death toll at over 4,000.
For what was long predicted to strike us has caught us on the wrong foot extremely unprepared. Monuments of historical importance have been lost. The respite is that it has been more than 72 hours since the Great Quake struck us and the magnitude shows a receding trend which is in line with the general observations.
However, experts say that tremors could well be felt for weeks and even months. The relief operations, though fairly rapid and large scale, appear insufficient especially in several VDCs of Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk where communication is yet to be established. A number of people have chosen to volunteer in relief operations but humanitarian experts suggest that specialized skills and coordinated efforts rather than stand alone initiatives will make the difference. If voluntary work is to be done, either there has to be specific skills or the volunteers should sign up with humanitarian agencies so that they work in particular areas which require hands.
More than 10 districts have been impacted severely and relief operation teams are yet to reach a number of VDCs. People have voiced their discontent on the scale and reach of rescue operations. Residents in the affected districts are demanding that the members of parliaments reach those areas and spearhead operations. This is indeed a moment of collective grief. Lives of thousands of families have changed forever. Seeing the lifelong earnings perish within seconds, hundreds of thousands have skidded into poverty.
Research suggests that preparedness for disasters may be costly but in the long run, the benefits exceed the costs. Recent studies have also found that more people are being displaced by natural disasters than violent conflicts.
We believe in these testing times, the legislatures should reach out to the affected far flung areas. The human touch appears essential even in terms of political calculations. We believe if the legislatures do not work in the affected constituencies, it will severely undermine the legitimacy of the state. People in Kathmandu and other areas are short on food, medicines, temporary shelter homes and water. Relief operations are not just the responsibility of the army, police, media, doctors or disaster management agencies. The army and the police have worked tirelessly and we salute them. The medicos and the hospital authorities have provided makeshift facilities to accommodate as many people as possible.
The media, over the last three days, has been working round the clock to bring the most crucial issues to the fore. It is commendable on their part. TV reporters have been working on the roads. The government and its ministers, definitely should meet and direct the operations but are their duties confined to this?
The people expect their leaders to provide them that healing touch which is only possible by physical contact and communication. The people expect their leaders to feel their pains. It has been reported that one minister was made to run by the people who were not finding food. Such was the discontent.
The authors have observed that in meetings, our politicians are surrounded by tens of people which include security guards and assistants. In one instance, one of our major leaders known for his hawkish stance was sitting with one person holding an umbrella to provide him shed. Such is the lifestyle orientation. In meetings, our politicos can be seen in neat suits. Whether this suits them or not in such tough times is a matter to be thought. The PM is too sick to speak to the people and his voice can barely make people listen. The moot point we are trying to make here is that there is a large gap between the people and the politicos. This can be a moment when the severely unpopular lot can connect with the people.