Brief Report on Visit to Budepa, Karthali VDC in Sindhupalchowk – Summary and Recommendation for
future programs
Dr. Sumesh Khanal, MBBS (IOM)
On May 1st, a team of 6 doctors visited Budepa village of Karthali VDC where a Health Post is located.
This was one of the 4 hard hit areas as per the DHO. We took a bus to Simle village of Karthali VDC and
then walked for 2 hours to reach Budepa Health Post. We also stopped at the Palate village of Barhabish
VDC. We spoke to local people, community leaders and government health personnel regarding the
situation of the VDC.
Physical impact
The area has been devastated.
- Many houses (mostly non-concrete) have been razed to the ground. Even those that are
standing have large cracks and are uninhabitable.
- The road had many cracks but were motorable. A large landslide about 45 minutes’ walk from
Simle VDC had cut off the road.
- The new building of the Health post at Budepa was intact with minor cracks along the wall. The
ground along the entrance of the health post had numerous large cracks, but was still walkable.
The building of the Palate sub-health post is partially damaged.
- Schools were badly damaged and can’t be used without complete reconstruction.
Human Impact
Medical:
During our one day health camp, we examined 121 patients of which less than 10 were directly affected
by earthquake. Most were musculoskeletal pain and cut injury requiring dressing. One lady with both
bone fracture of leg on her way to KTM, was splinted and given analgesics.
Housing:
Due to frequent aftershocks and damaged houses, all were sleeping outdoors under the tarpaulin or
under lean-tos made of bamboo and corrugated tins. During the initial days of the earthquake, families
shared shelters and ate in community mess. But now families are either living alone or a few related
neighboring families were sharing the shelter and kitchen.
Groups of neighbors have started taking turns salvaging the remaining household appliances and
housing materials from damaged homes.
Food:
The food stores have been buried under the rubble. As the intensity of aftershocks were decreasing,
families have started removing the rubble for food. Also neighbors have been helping each other with
food.
Water/Sanitation:
The water sources were still intact and no pollution was reported. So, people are still drinking directly
from the source.
Toilets have been extensively damaged and due to ongoing aftershocks, people are defecating outdoors.
Cattles and chicken crushed under the houses have started giving out foul smells.
Relief Response
Government:
- No government relief response was noted.
Non-governmental:
- We saw one group distributing sacks of rice to people of certain VDCs, which was, according to
community leaders, the first relief program.
- Ours was the only medical relief till then.
- Delivery of relief material was made difficult by the inaccessibility of road, and difficulty in
transporting the relief material.
- Pre-visit coordination with local community leaders and activists made the conduction of this
visit smooth.
Summary and Recommendations
Sindhupalchowk has sustained massive destruction to its houses and infrastructure. The
aftershocks are ongoing and transporting relief materials to remote places is very difficult.
The immediate needs are:
1. Temporary housing that can last at least 6 months. It should be able to provide protection
from upcoming monsoon. Also provision for temporary toilet should be made.
2. At this phase, the local health facilities are able to provide the necessary medical relief. So,
effort should be made to replenish their supplies. Also, the reporting of any outbreaks
should be emphasized. Medical camps to provide primary care will produce too little
output.
3. Temporary housing for schools should be made a priority. The schools should be made the
main focal point for hygiene, sanitation and epidemic prevention. This can be done by
ensuring regular supply of soaps, ‘piyush’ and ORS to students to take to their families.
Long-term needs:
1. Rebuilding the road.
2. Long term permanent housing solutions.
3. Rebuilding of schools.
Team members:
-
Dr. Uttam Pachya, MDGP 3rd year resident (NAMS)
Dr. Narendra Hamal, MBBS (IOM)
Dr. Subaj Bhattarai, MD Radiology 3rd year resident (NAMS)
Dr. Nibash Budhathoki, MBBS (KMC)
Dr. Sanjeev Jung Karki, MBBS (IOM)
Dr. Sumesh Khanal, MBBS (IOM)
Acknowledgements:
We were supported by the following organizations:
- Health Foundation Nepal
- White Zone
- Nepal Family Development Foundation
We would also like to thank Dr. Achyut Raj Karki, Mr Ramkrishna Parajuli, Mr Mahasagar Gyawali, Mr
Gyanendra Raut, and Mr Purna Bahadur Khatri for making this visit possible.