It was the first time in the weather history of Nepal on 30th March, 2019 when the tornado hit various parts of the country especially in Terai regions. The most affected districts were Bara and Parsa, where the houses and shelter of people were demolished. Due to the tornado, even the cemented houses collapsed, vehicles upturned and blown away, many trees were uprooted which killed 29 and hundreds were injured leaving hundreds of families departed from each other.
Rescue Network Nepal’s one of the teams were in the Western Nepal for the first aid training and the other team in the Kathmandu helped in providing relief to the people in Bara and Parsa with coordination of pastors and trained RNN volunteers from Hetauda and Birgunj. Firstly, we thought it was only the storm because these months are the season for rain, wind and thunderstorm along with hailstones. But when we heard about the devastating tornado hit those districts, we immediately took our steps forward for the relief.
We started preparing for the relief, for which we had few tarpaulins and clothes in stock; we kept them for the immediate relief in case of emergency. But those resources were not enough for the affected area. We bought more tarpaulins, foods, water, paracetamol (tablets for pain and fever), oral rehydration solution and torchlights. Foods included Sarbottam Pitho (Super Flour), beaten rice, peanuts, dalmoth (salty mixtures of pulses and lentils), instant noodles, and biscuits. We tried to provide the food that had enough nutritious value, doesn’t need to be cooked and can be served instantly as well as doesn’t spoil immediately because the people had no sources for cooking. Sarbottam Pitho (Super Flour) is very nutritious food discovered by Miriam E. Krantz made with one part corn, one part wheat, and two parts soyabeans. These are all roasted and then grinded, and can be served mixing with warm water, which is best for children and elderly people. Beaten rice mixed with peanuts, dalmoth and noodles can be nutritious and provides energy for longer period of time. We included torchlights because there was no electricity and other sources of light and those people asked if we could support them with their requirements. The torchlight needed to be run either by solar or battery, not rechargeable. Thus, we bought dozens of torchlights and distributed.
The team who went for relief were Surendra Kumar Rai, Shem Maharjan, Pastor Bisu Bidari from Hetauda, Pastor Babu Ram Chhetri from Birgunj, Hari Saran Thapa who is the Incharge of health post in Lubhu, Laitpur district, Sandip Rai who is a journalist and helped in news reporting and the volunteers Sajan Neupane, Nabin Rai and others. The first phase of the relief distribution was completed on 2nd April, 2019 and with further survey, we are getting ready for the second phase as well. We used whatever resources we had for helping the victims in the name of the Lord.
We are really thankful to those who have prayed and donated for the relief to the victims in Bara and Parsa. Now for the second phase relief, we are preparing for the marginalized groups of people who are in the most vulnerable condition because many underprivileged people are unreached by the aid workers. Jaya and local RNN volunteers are visiting to the affected side for the survey. We are thinking about the immediate needs for them such as clothes and kitchen utensils as they have lost all their stuffs.
Report Prepared by: Elina Maharjan (For Rescue Network Nepal)