Bengaluru: Father George Kannanthanam and his team found people scuttling for everything others called ‘waste’ (bamboo, plastic sheets, tarpaulins and torn clothes) to erect makeshift shelters for the victims of April 25 earthquake in Nepal.

The Claretian priest, who has been working leprosy patients in Bengaluru (formerly Bangalore) for decades, is the coordinator of ‘Bangalore Cares for Nepal’ (BCN), an NGO set up in the aftermath of the quake. The bearded priest explained to Adolf Washington of Matters India how the team reached out to the victims Nepal. Excerpts:

You are known for your work with leprosy patients in Bengaluru what are you doing in Nepal now?

Today is the most satisfying day for the earthquake relief work in Nepal. We built the first model shelter for the leprosy patients’ colony in the outskirts of Kathmandu. Fifty families who were completely abandoned by society were settled in the Budaneelkanda village about 10 km on the outskirts of Kathmandu since 20 years. Most of them are affected by leprosy. All the 250 odd persons, many with severe deformities, were forced to stay outdoors since the earthquake razed houses to the ground.

Are you getting help there?

Going to Budaneelakanda village after seeing a media report in Mumbai, we were shaken up. 25 days of living in the open had created huge questions about the future of the victims as the first rains of monsoon had already arrived. Our first visit last Saturday convinced us that our intervention was most needed here. Sunday was spent with the Shanthi Seva Griha that facilitated the settling down of these families here. We worked out a program to collaborate with a lady by named Mary Ann and team that headed Shanthi Seva Griha.

Do you see some hope in this abyss of misery?

We gathered nine pieces of 12/3 corrugated tin sheets, four bent iron pipes of 20 ft length and plenty of steel wire to tie the top. The wisdom of God prevailed. Then a team of volunteers under the leadership of Rajan and Sunil helped me and companions to prepare them for the construction of the first tin roof semi permanent houses that measured 12 feet length and 10 ft width and with 8 feet height. We just wanted to show people in distress that a shelter was possible.

Did the victims buy the idea?

No one took us seriously in the first one hour, when the iron rods were bent and the measurement taken for the location of the house. But when the iron rods were fixed and the first tin roof sheet was raised, the entire village was around to witness the place that can save them from the rainy season. Two hours later the house became a perfect shelter. When we told them that such houses could be made for all the fifty families, there was a huge applause. On providing the materials, the carpenters in the village promised to build the houses on their own. Fifty houses will come up in the next 10 days.

Where did you find funds in those trying moments?

While the money for the 50 tin roof houses (500,000 rupees) was provided by BCN, the technical help was provided by Yogdan organization’s Athulya and Poonam.

Did the frequent aftershocks hamper your work?

Yes it did. Relief work in such situations cannot be done in comfort zones. Two days ago, as we were returning in a car from a field visit to the Budaneelakantha village on the outskirts of Kathmandu, we saw everyone running out of their houses and shops. First we just could understand what was happening. It took some time to realize that it was an earthquake. It was one of the more than 300 aftershocks the country experienced that measured 5.7 on the Richter scale. There was not a day passed without an aftershock being reported. Many of them occurred in the early hours of the day and people ran out of the house to stay out the rest of the night.

Aftershocks have not deterred the efforts of the relief and aid workers in Nepal. The members of BNC, a platform created by The Project Vision has been visiting several villages in the outskirts of Kathmandu sine the third day of earthquake.

You are on ground zero. What did you and your team saw there?

Even after 20 days, the people had received practically no relief. Most of the houses were either fully destroyed or damaged. The people don’t feel confident to live inside due to the continuous aftershocks. They were all seen trying to build a temporary sheds with whatever they could gather – bamboo, plastic sheets, tarpaulins and clothes. They definitely won’t stand the ravages of the heavy monsoon here. The rains made everyone worried – they can’t stay in the open anymore.

Are there any immediate health relief measures in place?

BNC has brought together various persons and organizations to work for the earthquake victims. Many agencies and individuals are part of it. We have provided at least 2,000 tarpaulins for shelter, medicines and water purifying tablets as water is getting contaminated. The expenses are elephantine but we will go on.

How far has BCN been able to reach its relief work?

We have reached five villages away from the city of Kathmandu. Other agencies are concentrating on the city. They were able to reach out to five villages in five different districts which are more than two hours journey from the city. They are Khawa in Panchkhaal District (180 families), Vurumuchuli in Lalithpur (50), Ittakhel in Sankhu (150) and Phostar Village in Dhading District (40). A larger village called Tipling with 500 families is about 130 km by road transport and 30 hours by walk. About 1,000 families are helped for relief work.

You have been supplying kits to the victims. What do they contain?

Affected families are given a “shelter box” consisting of 51 items such as tarpaulin, plates, dress, soap and other things. They are brought from Kolkata at a cost of 5,000 rupees each. They will also be helped with a temporary shelter at a cost of 5,000 rupees. Thus the cost of relief for one family is Rs. 10,000. An amount of 1 crore (10 million) rupees is required for this stage of relief and temporary settlement for 1,000 families. We are hopeful of support from donations and grants.

Have you and your team faced any risk situation after the quake?

During our stay at Kathmandu we ran out of our house at 3 am on the very first day due to an earthquake that measured 4.2 and followed by 5.1 at a nearby district. It was fearful to get back to the house. This is how most people are living there. Most of them are staying in the open places braving rain and cold.

Any plans for future care of the victims?

BCN has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rabindra Piya, Rotary International- 3292, District Governor, Kathmandu for jointly building permanent houses for the homeless. For every house that we donate money for, the Rotary will raise money for two more houses from their matching grant from Rotary International. One earthquake-resistant house with 250 sq ft built area will be constructed at a cost of 200,000 rupees. The houses could be built in the name of the donor.

How has the Church helped in relief work?

I have held discussions with Bishop Paul Simick of Nepal and discussed possibilities of working together on rehabilitation. A wide network of contacts has been established with various religious and social groups for the relief work like Caritas and Nepal Jesuit Society.

[Fr George Kannanthanam can be contacted: director@theprojectvision.org Mbl: +91-9845811515]