Security forces working to restore normalcy after quake

On high alert to avert possible outbreak of disease

KATHMANDU, June 13: While the government was come under criticism for its slow response in the immediate aftermath of the recent earthquake, the security agencies are working hard to provide health and other services to those in need.

When the state mechanism was busy organising rescue missions in the aftermath of the devastating quake, a team of the Nepal Army (NA) led by Major Santosh KC reached Acharya VDC in Sindhupalchowk district with doctors and paramedics. The team helped recover two cows and disposed of 20 dead goats from one house.

"We were careful about the possibility of epidemics spreading in the wake of the catastrophy. So we had the team bury the dead livestock," Brigadier Jagadish Chandra Pokharel, spokesperson of the NA, said.

Pokharel said the NA learned a lesson from the Haiti's earthquake. More than 8,000 people died and over 200,000 were infected in a cholera outbreak following the 2010 earthquake there.

According to Pokharel, health workers in the NA team have provided their services to over 900 people in Acharya VDC and other team members demolished about 50 houses posing a risk. They also put up makeshift homes for the villagers. Bag Bhairab Higher Secondary Schoool in the VDC was completely destroyed by the earthquake. The NA team removed the debris and set up a temporary school.

The team also cleaned up the village's drinking water source and sent water samples to Kathmandu for tests.

Thokarpa health post collapsed in the quake and the entire village was deprived of basic health care services. So the NA team helped set up a temporary health post. They also came to the aid of a woman in labor at midnight and sent her to Kathmandu.

Spokesperson Pokharel said that NA personnel were working day and night to serve people in need in over 570 localities in the 14 districts devastated by the earthquake . "We have so far provided treatment to over 40,000 ailing people in the 14 districts," informed Pokharel. He said that the NA is constantly monitoring the situation to prevent any possible outbreak of disease.

Similarly, the Armed Police Force (APF) and the Nepal Police, which have been commended for their helpful role after the earthquake, are also providing health care services to the earthquake victims. The APF said that despite their limited presence in the quake hit districts, they consider health care services a vital component in the post-quake period. "We have asked all our health workers and other hospital staff to remain on standby for deployment in the field," said Pushpa Raj KC, APF spokesperson. He said that the APF is also cautious about the possible outbreak of epidemics. "We have identified the risks and informed the state agencies concerned," added KC.

Similarly, the Nepal Police said that it is all prepared to deal with any possible outbreak of disease during the upcoming monsoon. "Apart from policing duties, we have provided health care services to thousands through our mobile health camps," said Sarbendra Khanal, spokesperson of the Nepal Police. He informed that the police have also been working to cope with post-quake psychological conditions amongst the general public. "Similarly, in view of the vulnerable situation, the police have been making every possible effort to prevent the trafficking of earthquake-affected women and children," added Khanal.

The police have been facilitating relief distribution, squelching quake rumors and actively responding to public complaints coming in through social media like facebook and twitter.