The altruistic turn: Reporting on the Nepal School of Social Work s integrated response to Nepal s 25 April 2015 earthquake

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1 The altruistic turn: Reporting on the Nepal School of Social Work s integrated response to Nepal s 25 April 2015 earthquake by Lena Dominelli Durham University Lena.Dominelli@durham.ac.uk Shaped by the past, creating the future

2 Earthquake Responses Holistic Approach Required Nepal Earthquakes 25 April 2015 M7.8 Landslides Tremors/aftershocks Varied human responses -Fear to calm -Self-preservation to altruism 12 May 2015 M7.3 Landslides Tremors/aftershocks Varied human responses -Fear to calm -Self-preservation to altruism Physical science knowledge informs community practice Location of temporary shelters (Re)Building earthquake-resilient houses Retrofitting buildings and making other built infrastructures robust Preventing infectious diseases from spreading/epidemics

3 Nepal School of Social Work Lena and NSSW students Dr Kadambari and Dr Nikku 10 April 2015 (Earthquake) Training workshop on Green Social Work 25 April 2015 Nepal School of Social Work in Kathmandu Parts of building destroyed Staff and students experienced loss Lives Property Sense of security 28 April 2015 Amazing victim-survivors prepared Trip to Sindhupalchowk to assess needs and deliver aid to earthquake damaged villagers that had received no aid from government. Assistance to 913 households is ongoing. 12 May 2015 (Earthquake) Plans to extend assistance.

4 Nepal School of Social Work (NSSW) Chooses VDC Sipapokhare Sipapokhare project areas are shaded in grey 28 April 2015 Meeting of 3 students and 3 faculty members to discuss crisis response. VDC Sipapokhare was chosen as badly affected and NSSW had previous links (camps and practice placements) to the place Draw on crisis intervention models and community development models Fund-raise Undertake needs assessment households in 9 wards Purchase materials Package materials Distribute materials

5 Altruistic Response: Preparing for Earthquake Devastated Areas Damaged house in Sipokhare Meeting of NSSW staff and students

6 Capacity building partnerships: Local people and agencies and international supporters Galkot Samaj Japan, the Mahatma Gandi Memorial Foundation, Jhapa Marwadi Samaj, and the Vishal Group: Provide staff and funds Deliver aid to villagers Support training Shaped by the past, creating the future Social work staff and IHRR: Support NSSW staff and students on demand Fund-raise Provide training materials Provide earthquake and landslide information Establish Nepal Virtual Helpline TISS social work staff and students go to the site and: Provide funds Deliver aid to villagers Provide training

7 Preparing the aid packages for distribution Provisions given per family Tent Mattress Blanket Groceries (rice, lentils, biscuits) Others: (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, mosquito repellent)

8 Delivering material aid Local people were involved in the aid distribution. Local children became involved in aid distribution and in raising awareness about earthquakes especially in Sindhupalchowk.

9 Interdisciplinary, Integrated Approach Essential for Reconstruction Next steps: Sanitation (essential for health) Re-establish schools for the children (essential to get into normal routine) Address the traumatic aftermath (psychosocial counselling). Rebuild communities ( build back better ).

10 Looking Forward Reconstruction Challenges: Shortage of financial resources. Shortage of skilled personnel with CBDRR knowledge. Insufficient knowledge about interdisciplinary approaches to CBDRR in Nepal. Limitations of building back better. Cultural norms can prevent thinking beyond the boxes. Are there better models of development for Nepal? Resilience discourses lock people into modernisation and urbanisation as was done in the West and this has led to over-crowded, polluted cities and under-developed rural areas. Can the earthquakes provide opportunities for transformative models of development that are sustainable?