The quake wake
The devastating earthquake of 6.3 Richter scale on September 21 and several aftershocks have not only caused a huge physical destruction but also terrorized general public and exposed the national caliber to tackle natural disaster.
Even after two weeks of the disaster, the government is yet to make a full account of the loss and damages. And what government is preparing for adjusting with possible future disasters is unclear.
Relief supports are not well managed and people still are forced to take shelter in sheds. Thousands of the people in the eastern districts are still living outside their homes. The windstorm, torrent rainfall and the aftershocks are triggering more damages, causing obstacles to little efforts made for relief support to victims.
According to the statistics made available by the government on October 5, at least 4,595 houses, 184 government buildings and institutions, 748 cultural properties were damaged and 47 people injured.
Of these, 1446 houses, 17 government buildings, 187 cultural properties were non repairable. The figures are likely to grow as rescue teams enter deep into rural areas.
In Mongar district alone 1991 houses have been damaged, followed by Trashigang 1571 and Trashiyangtse 573 houses. Most schools and Basic Health Units (BHU) of Trashigang have been damaged. The government said it cannot estimate the cost of damages.
Government officials say, how can it be possible to value damage to stone and mortar structures, built by the villagers themselves, with one wall smashed and a deep crack running right through the other? Even more difficult to value is the damage to old monasteries and lhakhangs and sacred kus and ngangtens (inner relics). Many of them are priceless.
The donation drive for relief support continues to pour in. The office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon has received about Nu 3 million in cash from Bhutanese people and agencies, as well as a few foreigners so far. Of this, Nu 300,000 was donated by Hindu community in Thimphu. The association of graduates, Youth Voluntary, donated Nu 500,000.
Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industries and government employees are making arrangement for more donations. Thimphu residents have organized dance parties to raise funds. Several districts are planning cultural shows to collect cash and kind.
Royal Bhutan Army, Royal Bhutan Police and members of the Sherubtse college’s social service unit (SSU) have been mobilized across the districts to carry out relief activities.
Questions have been raised whether Bhutan has the resources to start rebuilding. Earthquake damages are addition to damages of infrastructure caused by heavy rainfall in May and July.
Prime Minister Jigmi Y Thinley briefed representatives of international agencies in Bhutan and has opened his basket for financial assistances. He made attempts to ensure transparency to fund given by donors for earthquake relief support by failing to rely on his words, a team of World Bank and UN system in Thimphu has set out for tour to six eastern districts to assess the loss and estimate cost for repair.