-Relief yet to reach at remote villages
Darjeeling Relief team initially selected three remote villages such as Shankhu, Pauwa and Nanglobari, where successfully held a medical camp and relief mission and efficiently distributed rice, dal, water, phenyl, sanitary items, soaps and tents to the quake victims.
The second relief mission was decided to set up in Bhimtar (Danuwar gaon), Sindhupalchowk district, most villages in Sindhupalchowk district are inaccessible by car or motorcycle. The only road to Bhimtar was completely destroyed and hence the village could be reached only after crossing a river.
When the Darjeeling Relief Team reached the village they witnessed total ruined of village, not a single house was intact, almost everything had succumbed to the earthquake. The relief team later found out that out of the 900 houses, only two was left standing. While there was other rescue team at Sankhu, however, there was none at Bhimtar.
Soon Darjeeling relief team set up a medical camp in Bhimtar. Over 200 people had been injured. There were old women with dislocated hips and fractured elbows. Most people had head injuries including children. The camp was held successfully till May 2 and Darjeeling team was the only medical cum relief team in that particular area. Later, Sri Lankan relief team arrived with relief supplies.
The dead bodies were cremated on time but till the time relief team had left, there were still dead animals which were not buried that emanated foul smell all around the village. The village consists of inhabitants from the communities of Danuwar, Maji and Tamang. The majority of the population is made up by the Danuwar community which happens to be one of the most backward tribes of Nepal.
“As we passed along the crumbled buildings, we came across a small clearing where the villagers had gathered. They must have heard that we had come with aid. We noticed that most of the men had shaved their heads. It was later that we came to know that every family had lost one person to the quake and the men were actually mourning the death of their relative or family.” recalls Binita Khambu Rai, who was heading Darjeeling relief team under KKRSS banner.
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