What next?
When any state is hit by natural calamities, be it anything from volcanoes to earthquake to tsunami, three R's play the most important role. To begin with, as it comes to each of our mind, we want to help with all our heart at the time of distress. We are more than willing to run out, take our roles and help. But the big question is "Is our help sustainable?" I am not trying to say that we shall be passive bystanders to this situation, but what i am trying to stress out is, will our help really matter in the long run to those lives that have been devastated, to help people overcome their loss? As the three R's go: 1st RESCUE
2nd RELIEF 3rd REHABILITATION
As has been most witnessed in bygone disasters and most probable of all situations we can expect that when any calamity occurs the first thing that comes in from within and outside of the country is RESCUE. In case of this recent earthquake in Nepal, as anticipated and most probable, rescue operation is taking on a swing both from within and outside of the country. As to this phase that lasts from Day 2 to around few months, actors like:Government bodies, International Support and Local support is what prevails. Then after comes another issue, that of relief, that lasts from Day 2 to another few months. In this case as well there are many who want to help, donate in every possible way. Both national actors, international actors and locals have huge a role to play, and they do play it real well. In around a month or two, the major question that remains is, where are these people who have lost their houses to this calamity to remain? And what about the basic infrastructure that is to be rebuilt? Undoubtedly, International banks, and countries will be more than willing to provide for low interest loans. But, for a country that is already drenched in debt and is undergoing all sort of crisis, from political, to economic to moral how good will that aid be? Not to forget, a deadly disease of corruption that hasn't left anyone immune, be it from politicians to bureaucrats to businessmen to agencies working independently, will that let the loan or aid be mobilized properly? In this light, PROPER REHABILITATION would be a bigger issue and the most difficult one. As government has the responsibility of rebuilding basic infrastructure, adding to the burden of ongoing road construction. Coming back to the main issue of rehabilitation of victims, who will then lend help at personal level to rebuild the houses? What if we could use money collected from employees, thereby deducting their half month's salary, money collected from nationals abroad and also individual contribution from politicians, in resurrecting their houses. For this end we could then mobilize architects and other skilled person from within the nation. Similarly, if we could design the houses in such a manner that they are well designed, single storeyed but spacious and able to fit their families. If we Nepalese join hand towards this larger end, in whatever way we can, we can surely help rehabilitate those who have lost their houses. Albeit, we might not be able to bring back those who have lost their lives to this catastrophe, but if we put forth our united efforts from every front to rebuild our nation and really lead it to development, that would be our sincerest tribute to those who have died. Let us take this calamity as a wake up call, for we were silent for 10 years after the revolution and just after the very day when we commemorated our much coveted LOKTANTRA did we witness this devastation. Maybe, it is high time we unite to reform this nation, rebuild it, which we failed to do after the decade long conflict.
2nd RELIEF 3rd REHABILITATION
As has been most witnessed in bygone disasters and most probable of all situations we can expect that when any calamity occurs the first thing that comes in from within and outside of the country is RESCUE. In case of this recent earthquake in Nepal, as anticipated and most probable, rescue operation is taking on a swing both from within and outside of the country. As to this phase that lasts from Day 2 to around few months, actors like:Government bodies, International Support and Local support is what prevails. Then after comes another issue, that of relief, that lasts from Day 2 to another few months. In this case as well there are many who want to help, donate in every possible way. Both national actors, international actors and locals have huge a role to play, and they do play it real well. In around a month or two, the major question that remains is, where are these people who have lost their houses to this calamity to remain? And what about the basic infrastructure that is to be rebuilt? Undoubtedly, International banks, and countries will be more than willing to provide for low interest loans. But, for a country that is already drenched in debt and is undergoing all sort of crisis, from political, to economic to moral how good will that aid be? Not to forget, a deadly disease of corruption that hasn't left anyone immune, be it from politicians to bureaucrats to businessmen to agencies working independently, will that let the loan or aid be mobilized properly? In this light, PROPER REHABILITATION would be a bigger issue and the most difficult one. As government has the responsibility of rebuilding basic infrastructure, adding to the burden of ongoing road construction. Coming back to the main issue of rehabilitation of victims, who will then lend help at personal level to rebuild the houses? What if we could use money collected from employees, thereby deducting their half month's salary, money collected from nationals abroad and also individual contribution from politicians, in resurrecting their houses. For this end we could then mobilize architects and other skilled person from within the nation. Similarly, if we could design the houses in such a manner that they are well designed, single storeyed but spacious and able to fit their families. If we Nepalese join hand towards this larger end, in whatever way we can, we can surely help rehabilitate those who have lost their houses. Albeit, we might not be able to bring back those who have lost their lives to this catastrophe, but if we put forth our united efforts from every front to rebuild our nation and really lead it to development, that would be our sincerest tribute to those who have died. Let us take this calamity as a wake up call, for we were silent for 10 years after the revolution and just after the very day when we commemorated our much coveted LOKTANTRA did we witness this devastation. Maybe, it is high time we unite to reform this nation, rebuild it, which we failed to do after the decade long conflict.
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