We just made it back after spending two days in Jiri municipality, Dhokala district, near the epicenter of the latest 7.4 earthquake. We planned this mission according to an informative phone call which gave detailed information about a dire need for help, yet a lack of response. It was a nine hour bus ride from Katmandu, and quite a bit off the main road, so we wanted to prepare accordingly to bring relief to this area as soon as we verified the information. We prepared supplies for 200 households which included over 2500 kg of rice, 200 tarps, 200 kg of dhal, 200 soaps, 200 packets of cooking oil, and 200 packets of salt. We had also heard that there had been many instances of looting along this road. However, we were lucky to obtain a police escort, and when we arrived in the village, further collaboration with the Nepal armed police force proved to be very beneficial, and even enjoyable. Not only did the officers help us to arrange the distribution of supplies, but they also helped us find vehicles for off-road travel to the lower village, and they let us camp within their grounds. They were friendly and even pulled the jeep to the side of the road in order to show us how delicious the local wild berries were! In the evening, we shared dhal bhat with some of the locals, at the only hotel/restaurant left standing the area. To our surprise, the ex-prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal was also visiting in order to inspect the damage. We hope that his visit will also bear fruitful assistance for the villagers in the near future.
In the early morning of the next day we organized a system to disburse the supplies amongst the villagers fairly. We enlisted the help of the local head teacher Lal Bhadur Jirel, who could remember all 200 household’s names. We really enjoyed our time in Jiri and were inspired and impressed by the collaboration and high spirits of the villagers. We hope to cooperate with them further as the rebuilding process ensues, particularly concerning the rebuilding of the local school, or running a health camps, as we witnessed a large need for these two things. This model of aid has showed us how immediate assistance can also turn into a long-term sustainable relationship and this is something Himalayan Quests hopes to continue in the future.
Meeting with locals to collect names
Briefing about health & hygiene