A FOOD FOR THOUGHT

The recent earthquake including several natural disasters in the past have taken Bhutan by surprise. While acknowledging the vulnerability, a lesson has been learnt.
In these wake of events, the government is planning to establish rapid reaction units to respond to emergency situations and draw a complete evacuation plan during a disaster.
Speaking to the representatives of international agencies in the country and government officials on the aftermath of the earthquake, Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley on Friday said there was a need to review construction codes to ensure that structures are maximum damage resistant.
The 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Bhutan on September 21 killed 12 people, injured 37 and affected at least 111 schools. Of 3,992 homes 1,000 were damaged beyond repair including 681 choetens and lhakhangs.
Calling the earthquake “one of the biggest disasters in recent times,” Lyonchen Jigmi Y. Thinley said: “People are still in a state of shock. The earthquake has dumb folded them and they still don’t know what to do.”
The Prime Minister emphasized the need to strengthen disaster management capacity both at central and local level. He added that more efforts are required to set up formal linkages with international institutions for scientific and management science for early warning or advice.
The Lyonchen also suggested a seismic mapping of the country.
A complete report on the scale of the damage will be submitted to the Cabinet on Monday and then to His Majesty, the King.
Meanwhile, individuals and organizations are chipping in cash and kind to help the people affected by the earthquake.
The UNICEF has already delivered 200 tents and another 300 will be provided soon.
The Gyalpoi Zimpon’s office, currently monitoring the aid to the affected people, has received Nu 1.1 million in cash from a mix of individuals, civil society organizations and private companies.
The Tourism Development Fund donated Nu 1 million, the Hindu Dharma Samudeva donated Nu 50,000, and the H & K Company in Phuentsholing Nu 50,000.
Business communities from Thimphu and Phuentsholing and individuals alike have donated food items, blankets, tarpaulins, medicines and clothes. Tarayana Foundation donated a truckload of clothes.
According to the Royal Office for Media, more support in kind has been coming in which would go into the People’s Welfare Fund (kidu fund).
“This will ensure timely and effective distribution of such contributions in consultation with relevant agencies,” said a representative from the Royal Office for Media.
The graduates of 2009 have also collected donations from Phuentsholing, Paro, Punakha and Thimphu for the earthquake victims.
Meanwhile, a six-member team from the United Nations and the World Bank are on their way to assess the damage of the earthquake in the six eastern dzongkhags.
The technical team is being led by the UN resident coordinator, Claire Van der Vaeren and World Bank representative to Bhutan, Mark LaPrairie.