Key Learning Reflections from Nepal Earthquake

Nepal is among the high-risk countries (ranked 11^th most risk in the world) in term of earthquake occurrences. The earthquake on 25^th April 2015 in Nepal has killed more than 8,800 people and injured more than 23,000. More than 4, 50,000 people were displaced & leaving many homeless with more than 5, 00,000 houses including entire villages flattened in many earthquake-affected areas in the country. The earthquake has triggered intense physical, economical, socio-cultural, impact on different sectors including the tourism sectors in more than twenty districts. Nepal has suffered economic loss of up to $10 billion. The preliminary estimated cost for the reconstruction of the quake-ravaged country is to $ 5 billion as mentioned by government of Nepal.

The burden of psychological stress, trauma and threat in people has tremendously increased. The situation is even more critical for girls and women with possibility of increasing sexual abuse on women & ladies in temporary shelter areas.  Maternal & child health issues including nutritional demand, antenatal care services, delivery care and postnatal care for women are emerging problems.

Despite of huge loss triggered by earthquake, there are so many positive lesson learns from earthquake. Nepal will have to rebound after this suffering and should come stronger; the positive lesson learned is summarized below:

"Nepal Will Bounce Back symbolized by Dharahara"

·         The constitution drafting process was very much stagnant since 2006 AD, but after the devastating earthquake, leaders have realized the need for a committed role for unification of Nepal through building up consensus for conflicting issues in constitution. Thus after a long wait consensus has been made to draft new constitution;

·         During the time of crisis it was noteworthy that it was the common Nepalese around the country who responded to the one in need. The role of youth and those helping hands in relief and recovery initiative is highly praiseworthy. It has one way or other tighten the social bond of humanity, 

·         Many people have realized that maintaining quality and standards of housing is mandatory and must for safety reasons;

·         Concerned authorities  have realized the value of “disaster preparedness” before crisis and have enforced them on  strengthening  the disaster preparedness system;

•  It is great opportunity for mobilization of “community medical team” during disaster  so the concept of “emergency medical  mobilization” during disaster has put into action & lesson are learned by medical professionals;
•  Government realizes  the concept of quality standards on housing and also urge for  regulatory mechanism on housing;
•  Ministry of health and Population has realized that there should be further strengthening of “Community medical mobilization team” during disaster;
•   Many international helping hands were  mobilized during the disaster period showing solidarity of Nepalese people thus many people from around the world knew more about Nepal;
• Many international technologies were applied during rescue, e.g., in medical, construction sectors, so it was an opportunity to be familiar with foreign technologies.
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_2015_Nepal_earthquake
• http://www.ibnlive.com/news/world/nepal-suffered-up-to-10-billion-loss-in-earthquake-government-990938.html
• http://eq.nitc.gov.np/
• https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/155HstWvSu5-H0SjO5u32vTNpDeklxlMo_cEcZop5C1M/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000&slide=id.p8
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