Though the government started focusing on the relief operation from Sunday, women, children, and the elderly are still facing the threat of the cold….reports Asian Lite News
Kaushila Khadka, who has been living in a relief camp along with her husband after her house was damaged in the earthquake on Friday night, is trying to keep her two-month-old infant warm to protect him from the cold.
“The condition has worsened in comparison to the day after the earthquake. The house where we were staying got damaged and we had to get out. A rented room where we lived hasn’t sustained that damage,” Khadka told ANI.
Khadka has been relying on the blankets given to her by their relatives and cousins as the relief from the authorities has failed to reach her.
“The baby has just turned two months; earlier two days were feeling cold but since last night we got some extra blankets which has helped to keep us warm. Sister brought on some clothes for the baby because of which the cold decreased,” the newborn child’s mother said.
Though the government started focusing on the relief operation from Sunday, women, children, and the elderly are still facing the threat of the cold.
Inadequate distribution of relief materials which focus on the urban areas of the impoverished district has increased fear of health risks to the vulnerable population.
The 2,230 square kilometre district has a population of 1,89, 360. It has a women population of 50.3 per cent while the male population stands at 49.7 per cent as per the census of 2021.
The district also has high mortality of children and elderly people in the latest earthquake which so far has claimed 105 lives.
The epicentre of the November 3 earthquake, Jajarkot so far has recorded damage to 937 houses while the authorities are still conducting surveys to assess the true extent of the damage.
Those displaced now are sheltering under a tarpaulin which has now become a new home for them and for the time being, is shielding them from cold, however, the worst is yet to come.
“Problems are slowly rising, due to the chilling cold we have stomach aches, and we don’t have proper clothes to wear as all our clothes are buried under the rubble. Also, there is no proper bed to sleep on and blankets to use,” Laxmi Giri one of the displaced living in a makeshift relief camp told ANI.
The elder sister who has to look after her elderly parents and younger siblings is worried about the upcoming days as her house was flattened and her old parents are prone to the impact of the cold.
“Obviously there is a feeling of fear as we don’t have any house to live in but aunt’s house has given us some hope,” Giri added.
In relief camps set in open places across the district, covered only by sheets of tarpaulin with temperatures 10 degrees Celsius and below at nighttime, the displaced scramble together in the camp to keep warm and surround the elderly and those prone to the cold in order to shield them.
Hari Bahadur Basnet, President of Nepal Red Cross Society, Jajarkot Branch told ANI, said, “Now the elderly, children and pregnant-post-partum women have big problems. During the ongoing relief operation blankets and tarpaulins have been given utmost preference in distribution to protect them from cold. But many of the families have permanently lost their residence and their clothes buried beneath the rubble. In that case, they should be provided with warm clothes and nutritious food. We have seen some children, elderly and post-partum women not having sufficient food to eat. So the relief operation should focus firstly on protecting them and the focus should be shifted to warm clothes.” (By Binod Prasad Adhikari/ANI)
Dalai Lama Writes to Nepal PM Condoling Deaths
Buddhist spiritual leader Dalai Lama has written to the Prime Minister of Nepal, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, to express his sadness at the devastating earthquake that recently struck western Nepal leading to the loss of 157 human lives and many injuries, the office of the Dalai Lama said in a statement.
“I offer my condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones,” he wrote, adding, “and pray for all those affected by this tragedy.”
“I understand that everything is being done by your government, as well as related agencies, to provide necessary help and support to the people affected by this calamity,” said Dalai Lama.
“As a token of my solidarity with the people of Nepal, I hope to be able to make a donation towards the rescue and relief efforts,” he added.
The epicentre of the November 3 earthquake, Jajarkot so far has recorded damage to 937 houses while the authorities are still conducting surveys to assess the true extent of the damage.
Those displaced now are sheltering under a tarpaulin which has now become a new home for them and for the time being, is shielding them from cold, however, the worst is yet to come.
India on Sunday sent an emergency aid package, comprising medical equipment, relief materials and more, for people affected by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake in Nepal.
The strong temblor, which even jolted the national capital and parts of north India, left 157 dead and scores injured.
Serving as the first responder, India shipped essential medicines and relief materials to assist the earthquake-affected communities.
This rapid response aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Neighbourhood First Policy,” External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, emphasising India’s commitment to supporting its neighbouring nations in times of crisis.
“Providing emergency relief assistance to earthquake-affected areas of Nepal. As a first responder, India delivers medicines and relief material. PM Narendra Modi’s Neighbourhood First policy in action,” EAM Jaishankar posted from his official handle on X. (ANI)
