The forgotten people of Nepal
Updated: 2015-08-03 07:35
By Sylvia Chang in Kathmandu, Nepal(HK Edition)
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The spotlight of international media has turned elsewhere, but the earthquake-stricken people of Nepal continue alone, in their struggle to take back their lives.
Three months after a devastating earthquake struck Nepal on April 25, people are still struggling. Many remain billeted in tents or in temporary houses standing on vacant, open spaces. The government promised to provide 15,000 Nepalese rupees ($150) to each victim whose houses were completely destroyed. Most people said they had built their own shelters. Some had help from their neighbors. Many earthquake survivors are still waiting for their applications for government relief to be approved as the wheels of tedious bureaucracy grind on. The victims seem to have little faith in their government. Many continue supporting each other in their communities but much of Nepal needs to be rebuilt.
I traveled to Nepal in mid-July, to Kathmandu, the capital city, and Sindhupalchok district, one of the worst-hit areas. From there, I moved to other hard hit areas, to remote villages. People told me about their lives, struggling to return to some semblance of normalcy. Many had lost relatives. The way ahead returns a challenge. They're await the end of the monsoon season, hoping then, that the work of rebuilding hometowns and lives may begin afresh.
(HK Edition 08/03/2015 page10)