The natural disaster provided an opportunity for the security forces to prove themselves during the time of need
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KATHMANDU, Dec 31: Nearly nine months have elapsed since the devastating earthquake of April killed about 9,000 people, ruined homes, crippled livelihoods of the quake victims, damaged infrastructures and heritage sites in the year 2015.
The natural disaster that turned as national crisis not only tested the capability, work efficiency and competency of authorities but also provided an opportunity for the security forces to prove themselves during the time of need. It was the security personnel of Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force who risked their lives to reach out to the needy victims as some of them fell prey to the aftershocks.
International media, quake experts, donors among others frequently talk of the well-deserved praise for the tireless efforts put by the security forces during the disaster. But at the same time, lack of sufficient logistics hindered the rescue works. Though the security forces rescued some victims, it was pointed out that the rescue works could have been done more efficiently and promptly had the forces been better equipped.
Experts say that the disaster made us learn about how to live with nature. It also brought to the fore the hidden potentials of government stakeholders, authorities and even security forces.
Ramesh Guragain, deputy executive director at the National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET), argued that compared to other disaster-hit countries, Nepal has had good reputation in post disaster management.
Post-disaster management is a tough task even for developed nations but the pace of reconstruction, traditional mindset of the authorities among others could not make the best use of the security forces, that have been seeking clear mandate in reconstruction works.
Seismologists had long warned that Nepal was vulnerable to natural disaster as it is filled with fragile geophysical structures, high angles of slopes, variable climatic conditions, with dense and unplanned settlements.
The response mechanism has already proved that it was not well coordinated, sufficient and adequate in spite of millions of rupees collected in the Prime Minister Relief Fund from several international donors.
“We were successful in disaster management due to the bravery of security forces and with the help of international technology,” Nepal Army Spokesperson Tara Bahadur Karki said while describing the challenges faced during the disaster.
On the basis of lessons learnt, the security forces have recommended the government to buy equipment and technologies to manage post-disaster in the future and is on the verge of upgrading its policies and strategies. Security forces and the government realized that they were ill-prepared to deal with such disaster as they had to totally depend on foreign support.
The National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC), an apex body to coordinate and monitor disaster under the ministry of Home Affairs, used its best possible efforts to deal with the national tragedy with no satisfactory level of preparedness in terms of knowledge, skills and resource mobilization.
The rescue and relief workers mostly from security agencies had to reach remote villages with bare hands even as the vast number of homes had turned into debris. Undermining their own physical security, they worked day and night to the best of their abilities to adapt to the adverse situation but that may not work all the time.
Need for replacement of traditional equipment
Rescue workers from Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force had to wait for long hours to get concrete cutters, chipping hangers, reciprocating saw blades, drill hammer among others. “Many survivors trapped for hours under the debris were saved with the support of radar waves that helped search and rescue teams to detect heartbeats and human breaths of the survivors,” said DSP Dhakendra Khatiwada of the Central Police Disaster Management, Samakhushi.
“We have asked the government to buy such devices that can be very useful during rescue,” added DSP Khatiwada. The prototype device, called FINDER (Finding individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response), which was first tested in the aftermath of Haiti earthquake in 2010, drones, high-rise-building demolishing devices among others are immediately required for the training purpose, according to the security authorities.
Realized expansion of special units
During the disaster, the security forces were even lacking sufficient helmets to work on the sites and no safety measures were assured. Had there been proper safety measures, the rescue workers from security forces would not have had to die, said the DSP Khatiwada of the newly established division.
The division of Nepal Police had only a single post of SSP and in the aftermath of the disaster it was upgraded to 446 strong force with regional wings. DSP Khatiwada informed that the security forces have been jointly exercising training programs, workshops and engaged in several awareness campaigns.
Training centers expanded
Like other security agencies, APF has also established a Disaster Management Training Center to perform all the duties during the disaster. “We have traditional equipment which needs to be replaced and have sought support from the government,” said the APF Spokesperson DIG Puspa Ram KC.
“Because of budget constraints, we have not been able to give full shape to our plans and strategies to respond to any kind of disaster like flood, landslides, fires among others,” he added.
Central control room needed
The security forces had a great challenge to coordinate the international rescue and support and direct them to the neediest areas. Lack of proper joint communicating mechanism made it difficult to set priorities. They sought the need of control room that jointly operates the security forces, other stakeholders and set priorities to response.
Frustration continues
Even after the CEO of the Reconstruction Authority was appointed of late, CEO Sushil Gyewali himself said that it would take some time for the authority to begin its task of reconstruction and rehabilitation as scores of administrative and legal works are yet to be formulated to make the authority functional.
In the meantime, homeless and bereaved survivors of the disaster are growing increasingly angry and frustrated over the pace of the government's response. They accuse the government of being too slow to distribute the international aid that has flooded into the country. Donor partners have pledged around Rs 400 billion to support the reconstruction works and as of now the government has approved grants of Rs 100 billion, according to the National Planning Commission.
Way forward
It is important to update or amend the existing disaster related acts, specify the roles of the security agencies so there could be no duplication in the response, bring improvements in international and domestic airports and airport liaison mechanism. The security forces also strongly demand the need for the decentralization of emergency medical and operation centers.
