A Himalayan challenge that must be met

Devastation as “human” as it is physical, for every life lost several more are shattered, both by the loss of a loved one and the daunting prospects of living without her or him to face the challenges of the future. Life, inevitably, goes on. While the immediate task must be retrieving bodies from the rubble, and making funeral arrangements however rudimentary, the mission will have to move from rescue to rehabilitation, and then rebuilding.

A task of Himalayan magnitude in which the resources of the global community must be pooled. 

A small, developing country like Nepal simply cannot do it alone. It will have to be more than a mere “response”, reconstruction demands sustained support – particularly after the effort ceases to dominate prime-time or front pages. 

India was quick to rush to the aid of its neighbour, no less was to be expected. The substantial air-lift of relief material into Nepal and bringing stranded people back on return flights is commendable and appreciation is due for the augmentation of the IAF transport fleet with C- 17s and C-130Js. Yet there is so much more to be done, there are many Indians trapped outside the Kathmandu valley as well.

The contours of the task ahead have yet to be drafted. Indian TV channels were also quick to the scene, but would reporters refrain from asking victims how they feel: Do they expect anyone to express happiness? And would channels desist seeking brownie points by claiming “firsts” – this is no occasion for callous, vulture-like competition. Moving relief material etc is a critical necessity, so too medical aid, assistance in clearing roads, restoring telecommunications, power and water supply. 

Also important is providing Nepal the requisite expertise. As happens the world over, in times like these the administration “collapses”, and the international community must help fill the management-breach without appearing to “take over”.

There must be no jockeying for “influence”, regional power-equations are not to be forged on the anvil of tragedy. 

India will have to rise above “security considerations” and facilitate the movement of international relief material on its roads. It must also not be bureaucratic in granting refuge to the many foreigners without Indian visas trapped in Nepal and seeking safety in India. Then another kind of expertise will be required. Affordable but safe housing is a key goal: Earthquakes do not kill, collapsed buildings do. 

The response of the incumbent government has been laudable but there is need to guard against “politics” contaminating the projection of a national effort. There are countless quake-related issues to be tackled, domestic complexities too, yet all-party interaction would be desired: to take suggestions on board, to prove India stands solidly with its neighbour during this ordeal. Such unity, alas, also presents “a mountain to climb”.