NEPAL EARTHQUAKE 2015
Chokgyur Lingpa Foundation
Emergency Disaster Relief
Preliminary Report (issued on 25 May 2015)
This report is produced based on preliminary records kept by volunteers. Chokgyur Lingpa Foundation – Nepal reserves the right to amend the
figures given here to reflect possible future error corrections and omissions in our records. We will have a final report at the end of the rebuilding
phase.
Highlights
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By 11th May 2015, the Chokgyur Lingpa Foundation in Nepal (CGLF-N), in close collaboration with
local partners and especially with the indispensable support from Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery
and its monks, had sent immediate disaster relief to at least 96 Village Development Committees
(VDCs) and municipalities (including some within the greater Metropolitan Kathmandu area) spread
out over 17 districts from as far east as Bhojpur to as far west as Jumla. The emphasis of relief efforts
was on Sindhulpalchok because it had the highest number of deaths and injuries outside Kathmandu
(3,424 and 859, respectively, according to UNHCR’s statistics as of 19 May 2015).
As early as the day after the earthquake, Sunday 26 April 2015, a small group of volunteers from
CGLF-N, who were part of the reconnaissance team sent by Kyabgön Phakchok Rinpoche, had already
started to provide emergency first aid to around 40 severely injured victims coming down from
surrounding high altitude villages in the Yolmo/Helambu VDCs to the Melamchi Bazaar Army
Helipad Camp. The most severe cases were quickly evacuated by helicopter to hospitals in
Kathmandu.
By the end of the first week after the first earthquake, our two teams of volunteers in close cooperation
with other foreign volunteer doctors in the Sindhupalchok District had already given triage medical
care to as much as 680 severely injured victims. The government health post in Melamchi Bazaar took
our donated medicine and further assisted another 800 casualties who kept coming into the Army
Camp in waves by helicopter medivacs, trucks and vehicles, and on foot.
Immediately after receiving medical care and medicine, every victim wanted tents and tarpaulins to
make temporary shelter. Despite the severe shortage that eventually developed in Kathmandu, CGLFN managed to send out at least 11,000+ individual tarpaulins and tents of varying sizes, which we
conservatively estimate will shelter at least 22,000+ families from heat and monsoon rain.
Finally, we also sent out dried food (rice, lentils, salt, noodles, and biscuits), cooking oil, clothing, and
solar lamps. The most sought-after staple was rice of which we sent out slightly more than 45 metric
tons.
By 11 May we have spent a total of NRs. 21 million (roughly USD210,000) for the emergency
disaster relief described above.
Background
At 11:56 a.m. on Saturday 25 April 2015, the landlocked Himalayan country of Nepal suffered a
magnitude 7.8 earthquake that irrevocably changed the country on multiple levels, from external physical
appearance down to the deepest level of consciousness of its inhabitants and visitors. Although most
people here knew that Nepal is prone to tremors and expected a big earthquake, all of us were caught by
surprise and less-than-ideally prepared. Just when many of us were beginning to think that things were
returning to normal, the second earthquake of 7.3 magnitude hit us again on Tuesday 12 May. Many of the
weaker structures that were already weakened by the first quake completely collapsed after the second
quake. To date, the combined effects of both earthquakes and their associated aftershocks have killed more
than 8,600 people and injured over 17,800 (as reported by the UNOCHA on 19 May). More than half a
million people have lost their dwellings especially those living at high altitude.
In hindsight, we count our blessings that the worst was avoided because the first earthquake occurred on a
mild lazy spring Saturday at noon. Had it been a freezing winter or damp monsoon weekday or midnight,
the mortality (deaths) and morbidity (injuries) would have been incalculably higher because of the high
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density of people working or sleeping indoors. Furthermore, the capital city Kathmandu survived the
seismic event with many of the buildings still upright but not necessarily sound structurally. Hence, the
central government in the capital and its international airport were able to restart and support initial search
and rescue activities followed by immediate relief efforts. Similarly the second earthquake also happened
at noon so casualties were far fewer than anticipated.
As news and rumors started coming in on the afternoon of Saturday 25 April during the first earthquake,
we realized that many of Nepal’s remote but picturesque high altitude villages were either thoroughly
flattened or simply carried away by landslides. Among the unfortunate casualties was the mother of our
much loved Chant Master, Ven. Nhono, from the village of Jaten in the Sindhupalchok District. The
normally reserved and soft-spoken Ven. Nhono broke down and cried as he informed Kyabgon Phakchok
Rinpoche of his family tragedy and begged for immediate assistance.
In response, on Sunday 26th April, Rinpoche immediately sent Ven. Nhono, Khenpo Tsondru Zangpo, Ven.
Ratna Mangalam, Gilad and Lana as a small rapid response reconnaissance team to assess the damage in
the Sindhupalchok District. From this seemingly small request of Ven. Nhono came the resulting
miraculous efforts by the intrepid and compassionate Rinpoches, monks, staff, volunteers and donors of
the Chokgyur Linpa Foundation.
Expenditures & Funding
By 11 May CGLF-N had spent a grand total of NRs. 21 million (roughly USD 210,000) of which almost
half was for tarpaulins and tents to make into temporary shelters for the victims. To bring food and shelter
Disaster Relief Expenses Up to 11 May 2015
2%
4%
6%
Tarps/tents
1%
Transportation
1%
18%
42%
Food
Medicine
Other supplies
Clothing/blanket
26%
Other Expense
Donations (Pay out)
relief supplies to the most critical victims at the most remote and inaccessible high altitude villages, we had
to spend NRs. 1.9 million to charter commercial helicopters four times to supply five VDCs in upper
Gorhka District (epicenter of the main earthquake), once to Chilim in Rasuwa District, once to Yangri in
Sindhupalchok, and another 1.5 trips to Lapagaon in Dhading District in collaboration with a local NGO.
Therefore, the total cost of ground and air transportation consumed slightly more than a quarter of our
expenses. The third most significant expense, almost a fifth of the total, was for emergency food supplies.
Medicine by comparison took only approximately 6% of expenditure. Lastly, Rinpoche gave away small
token donations to the most discriminated and neglected segment of the victims, the Dalits
(‘untouchables’) , who are sadly considered to be the lowest of all humans in society here. Rinpoche also
gave out varying amounts of donations to several monasteries to get them started right away on rebuilding.
These donations in total came to about 1% of our overall expenses.
Even before the news media could put up gripping pictures and harrowing tales, worldwide donations were
already coming in unasked. By 11 May, our records show that we had already received donations and
pledges in all of our associated accounts of USD 463,000. Hence, we have a balance of USD 253,000 that
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we will now apply towards light relief works and rebuilding of dwellings, schools, health posts, and
temples, as shown in the next section..
Future Work
What took a lifetime or more to build up was torn asunder in less than two minutes. The immediate manic
phase of search and rescue and the frenetic phase of disaster relief are essentially over. Now comes the
hard part for survivors; trying in the short term to make it through the fast approaching monsoon, and in
the long term address the most daunting task of rebuilding their devastated lives and livelihoods. What
follows presents the briefest outline of what we intend to do in the next three to six months.
By the end of May, we will have completed scouting for remote high altitude villages that we can partner
or collaborate with to help people help themselves rebuild their communities. CGLF-N will provide only
professional and technical advice, a token amount of building material, and tools as "starter" or "seeds" for
the villagers to rebuild their own lives and livelihoods. We do not intend to undertake reconstruction
ourselves. We will provide support for three months, just long enough for the villagers to stand up and
continue on their own.
We have already received verbal commitments for help from well-respected local architects, civil, and
structural engineers. We will recruit a structural engineer specially trained in earthquake engineering who
will provide technical assistance pro bono in order to meld the best of modern technical know-how with
ancient proven wisdom. We will hire (by providing a small honorarium) young Nepalese civil engineers to
be onsite technical consultants and project managers. CGLF-N will oversee and monitor the overall
progress and outcome.
As we work out the details in close consultation with the villagers and our local experts, we will share
more information with you, our project collaborators, funders and donors.
Acknowledgements
We most gratefully acknowledge the ineffable blessings and protection of our spiritual leaders, all the
revered Rinpoches at Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling Monastery. We are inspired and delighted by the fearless
compassion of our monks who immediately sprang into action to put up tarps to shelter, protect, and care
for everybody who sought refuge at our premises in Boudhanath. When asked to immediately go up to the
remote high altitude villages, our monks took their rucksacks and jumped into their vehicles without
hesitation to go into the unknown. From dawn till night, our tireless monks continuously helped purchase,
receive, store, sort, retrieve, pack, and deliver relief supplies.
We are awed by the resourcefulness and unrelenting commitment of our volunteer doctors, medics, nurses,
interpreters and drivers, who were so focused on the plight of the victims that they practically forgot to eat
and relieve themselves. The commitment and devotion of the crew of lay volunteers, both Nepalese and
foreign, was impressive to see. Ignoring their own fear and a whole host of other emotions, they cheerfully
worked shoulder to shoulder with our monks to serve the seemingly endless stream of victims coming to
our office requesting aid and assistance.
Our efforts here on the ground were only made possible by the vital stream of generous donations in cash
and kind from donors worldwide who gave unstintingly and unasked. We are blessed indeed to have such
friends and patrons. We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and sincerely thank all our
individual & group donors, NGOs and foundations supporting us from worldwide for this relief work.
We are also happy to have had the privilege of working closely with the tireless Nepalese Army personnel
at the Melamchi Bazaar Helipad Camp. Whenever necessary they could be counted on to provide us with
ground and air transportation, security escorts and advice during our short stint at Melamchi Bazaar. Their
professionalism and reliability are truly the pride of Nepal and well deserving of our respect, especially
during these trying times.
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We gratefully acknowledge the invaluable professional services and camaraderie of the doctors from the
Polish Center for International Aid (PCPM). Their arrival at the Melamchi Bazaar Army Helipad Camp
greatly enhanced and upgraded the capabilities of the army field hospital. By pooling all of our resources,
the army and volunteer medics treated about 600 casualties. Half of them were severe enough to require
subsequent hospitalization.
Furthermore, we very much appreciate the thoughtful hospitality that CMC Cooperative Muratorie
Cementisti di Ravenna offered to our volunteers during our brief visits to Melamchi Bazaar. Their food and
shelter, and the storage space they provided for us to temporarily protect our medicine and relief supplies
during the most chaotic and difficult times will always be remembered with gratitude.
We would be remiss if we did not thank the overall coordinator of the relief efforts in Nepal, the United
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) and all of their esteemed partners
and funders. The data, maps, infographics, reports, papers, and so forth provided at their family of websites
have been both indispensable and illuminating.
Lastly, with utmost sincerity and humility, we express our gratitude to the proud and strong Nepalese
survivors of these earthquakes. It is in concert with their courage and strength that we are able to practice
compassion, loving kindness, generosity, patience and wisdom, and relearn the simple universal truths of
impermanence, death, and selflessness. May all be auspicious, Sarva Mangalam.
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Addendum - Supporting Data
Table 1: Summary of Areas that Received Disaster Aid from CGLF-N
District HQ
Total
VDCs
sn
District/Municipality
Village Development Committees (VDC) Served
1
Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur
Nagarkot
1
2
Bhojpur
Bhojpur
Keemalung?
1
3
Dhading
Dhadingbesi
Darkha, Nalang, Semdhung
3
4
Dolakha
Charikot
Boch, Busaphedi, Dodhapokhari, Jhule, Jiri, Katakuti, Lakuridanda, Mali
8
5
Dolpa (aka. Dolpo)
Dunai
Saldang?, Statart?
2
6
Gorkha
Gorkha
Bihi, Chunchet, Lho, Prok, Samagaun
5
7
Jumla
Jumla Khalanga
1
Kathmandu
9
Kathmandu
Kavrepalanchok
(aka. Kavre,
Kabhrepalanchok)
Budhanilkantha, Chapali Bhadrakali, Dakshinkali, Gokaneshwor, Gongabu, Jorpati,
Metropolitan Kathmandu, Kopan, Sankhu, Sitapaila, Sundarijal
Dhulikhel
Dhulikhel, Jaisithok Mandan, Nagre Gagarche, Palanchok, Panchkhal, Phoksindar,
Rayalebhir, Sathighar Bhagawati
8
10
Khotang
Diktel
Sundel?
1
11
Lalitpur
Lalitpur
Bhattedanda, Bukhel, Chapagaun, Gimdi, Lubhu
5
12
Makawanpur
Hetauda
Daman, Markhu
2
13
Bidur
Belkot, Beteni, Bungtang, Chaturale, Gerkhu, Kabilas, Kakani, Mahakali
8
14
Nuwakot
Ramechap (aka.
Ramechhap)
Manthali
Bamti, Bethan, Doramba, Gelu, Gumdel
5
15
Rasuwa
Dhunche
Bhorle, Chilime, Gatlang, Goljung, Syaphru, Yarsa
6
Chautara
Attapur, Banskharka, Baramchae, Barhabise, Baruwa, Bhotang, Chautara, Dubachaur
(aka Dubhachaur), Golche, Gumba, Ghunsakot, Gunsakun, Helambu, Ichok, Kadambas,
Kiul, Lisangkhu, Melamchi Municipality, Palchok, Pangtang, Phulpingkati, Sunkhani,
Tatopani, Thakani, Thapalkot, Thulo Dhading, Thulo Sirubari
8
16
Sindhupalchok (aka.
Sindupulchowk)
17
Solukhumbu
Golla, Khumjung
11
27
2
Grand Total of VDCs, Municipalities Served (Including Metro Kathmandu)
96
Table 2: Triage Medical Care and Benefit
Date
Days After
1st Quake
4/26
+1
Venue
Melamchi Bazaar Army Helipad Camp, Sindhupalchok District
Est. # of
Victims
Treated
40
4/28-30
+3 to 5
Team#1 at Melamchi Bazzar Army Helipad Camp, Sindhupalchok
4/28-30
+3 to 5
Team#2 up at remote Jatan village, Sindhupalchok
40
Yangri Village, Sindhupalchok
80
5/1
5/7-9
+6
+12 to 14
Villages around town of Bagam and Listi in Tatopani VDC in Sindhupalchok
Total # of Casualties who Benefited Directly from Triage Medical Care
600
80
840
Note: This table does not include the benefits of a group of Singaporean doctors and nurses who went up to Timbhu, Sindhupalchok and Tara
Bhir, Kathmandu as part of a medical camp during the week of 4 May. They will be submitting their report later.
Table 3: Temporary Shelter and Benefit
Size
Tarps/
Tents
Families
Helped
Est. # of
Victims
Small
6,160
6,160
30,800
Medium
3,500
10,500
52,500
Large
1,500
6,000
30,000
Total
11,160
22,660
113,300
Note: The small, medium, and large tents can each accommodate one, three, and four families, respectively. Each family is assumed to consist on
average of five persons, namely, a husband and wife with three children.
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