NEPAL EARTHQUAKE
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May 2015On May 6, 2015, just 11 days after the 7.8 earthquake devastated the country of Nepal, Global Uplift disaster volunteers Bill Warne and Doug Brown boarded a plane for Kathmandu. In the few short days before their departure, they had completed exhaustive research on the situation on the ground in Nepal, the agencies already in place, resources lacking, and all possible risks. Additionally they had established liaisons on the ground in Nepal who could assist with logistics and intelligence.(The main resource was a Nepali development NGO named Change Nepalese Mission)
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They flew to Delhi where they adjusted to the 12-hour time difference and bought needed supplies that were unavailable in Nepal. Whenever possible, supplies were bought in Nepal as it helps stimulate the economy.
After landing in the capital of Kathmandu, Doug and Bill took a 6 hour taxi ride through the narrow clogged, hairpin-turn mountain roads to the town of Bharatpur in the Chitwan District. There they met with town leaders of the small remote village of Dhuwakot, Gorkha District, a village that had been hard hit but where no aid had yet been received. A plan of aid was worked out that included tarps for basic shelter, sleeping pads, blankets and mosquito nets. A very large number of people were without adequate food. A plan was also developed to provide basic, nonperishable food for 50 families. This included 60lb bags of rice, beans, oil, pulses(a high protein legume), cooking oil, salt, potatoes and other basics. A distribution plan was developed that insured that no favoritism by class, family, or other criteria was used. Selection of families was based strictly on need. Additionally, basic first aid supplies and 1200 feminine sanitary pads were secured. Advance information indicated that many organizations had overlooked women's supplies and there was a desperate need.
During the planning and securing of supplies in Bharatpur, more and more local people became aware of the project and volunteered to be involved. Of great value was a local nurse who asked to be included. So many volunteered that a small bus had to be rented to take the 25 volunteers on the 3-hour trip to Dhuwakot. These were people who all had been paralyzed with fear by the quake and the more than daily large aftershocks. However, the atmosphere on the bus was like that of high school summer camp - singing, cheering, and even dancing in the aisles of the rickety bus as it wound it way up narrow dirt roads with steep drop-offs.
Upon arriving at Dhuwakot, the two small trucks laden with supplies were able to proceed to a spot very near the village, but the bus could not so all the volunteers had to trek the remaining distance to the village. Because of the advance planning, all was very orderly at Dhuwakot. Everyone helped carry the 3,000lbs of rice and other items to the community center. There orderly lines of the prospective recipients were formed. The nurse saw her first patient, an 8 year old boy who had been severely burned by hot tea that morning. We all were very moved.
After the requisite posturing by local politicos, the distribution of materials began. If a person did not need one of the items, it was withheld and given to someone else. The atmosphere was a very happy one. Amazingly, there was almost no arguing or expression of bad feelings. Finally, all the supplies were distributed and we could relax. Doug and Bill hiked to the top of a nearby plateau. Made camp, ate dinner, and slept under the Himalayan starry night.
There was one pile of rubble on that plateau - the remains of a two story house brought down by the quake. In the morning we excavated part of the house and found the owners most prized possession. A prayer lamp.
Our volunteer crew will be making one more trip to Dhuwakot to distribute supplies with out remaining funds. Approximately $1,500. They have learned that they can be part of the solution and not just the victims. We are in continuing contact with them. Our Trip was an unqualified success on so many levels. We thank all the donors who made it possible. As always, 100% of the donated funds went to relief and no personal expenses.
After landing in the capital of Kathmandu, Doug and Bill took a 6 hour taxi ride through the narrow clogged, hairpin-turn mountain roads to the town of Bharatpur in the Chitwan District. There they met with town leaders of the small remote village of Dhuwakot, Gorkha District, a village that had been hard hit but where no aid had yet been received. A plan of aid was worked out that included tarps for basic shelter, sleeping pads, blankets and mosquito nets. A very large number of people were without adequate food. A plan was also developed to provide basic, nonperishable food for 50 families. This included 60lb bags of rice, beans, oil, pulses(a high protein legume), cooking oil, salt, potatoes and other basics. A distribution plan was developed that insured that no favoritism by class, family, or other criteria was used. Selection of families was based strictly on need. Additionally, basic first aid supplies and 1200 feminine sanitary pads were secured. Advance information indicated that many organizations had overlooked women's supplies and there was a desperate need.
During the planning and securing of supplies in Bharatpur, more and more local people became aware of the project and volunteered to be involved. Of great value was a local nurse who asked to be included. So many volunteered that a small bus had to be rented to take the 25 volunteers on the 3-hour trip to Dhuwakot. These were people who all had been paralyzed with fear by the quake and the more than daily large aftershocks. However, the atmosphere on the bus was like that of high school summer camp - singing, cheering, and even dancing in the aisles of the rickety bus as it wound it way up narrow dirt roads with steep drop-offs.
Upon arriving at Dhuwakot, the two small trucks laden with supplies were able to proceed to a spot very near the village, but the bus could not so all the volunteers had to trek the remaining distance to the village. Because of the advance planning, all was very orderly at Dhuwakot. Everyone helped carry the 3,000lbs of rice and other items to the community center. There orderly lines of the prospective recipients were formed. The nurse saw her first patient, an 8 year old boy who had been severely burned by hot tea that morning. We all were very moved.
After the requisite posturing by local politicos, the distribution of materials began. If a person did not need one of the items, it was withheld and given to someone else. The atmosphere was a very happy one. Amazingly, there was almost no arguing or expression of bad feelings. Finally, all the supplies were distributed and we could relax. Doug and Bill hiked to the top of a nearby plateau. Made camp, ate dinner, and slept under the Himalayan starry night.
There was one pile of rubble on that plateau - the remains of a two story house brought down by the quake. In the morning we excavated part of the house and found the owners most prized possession. A prayer lamp.
Our volunteer crew will be making one more trip to Dhuwakot to distribute supplies with out remaining funds. Approximately $1,500. They have learned that they can be part of the solution and not just the victims. We are in continuing contact with them. Our Trip was an unqualified success on so many levels. We thank all the donors who made it possible. As always, 100% of the donated funds went to relief and no personal expenses.