Since 2015, SSF Rescuers Without Borders sends expeditions fulfilling aid missions for the benefit of population in Nepal. The organization began its activities in the area following the earthquake that occurred in April 2005 and provided emergency assistance to the residents. As part of this strategy, in addition to providing immediate assistance, the organization also offers “post-event assistance” aimed to provide solutions to a variety of needs: physicians’ visits, dental care, support for residents, training volunteers and conducting first aid courses, as well as providing life-saving equipment.
Emergency assistance
36 hours after the earthquake, the “Rescuers Without Borders” team was rushed to the location and provided medical treatment to more than 450 injured people from distant villages.
Organization’s rescue forces took action in the city of Kathmandu and provided medical services at all hospitals, Bir and Bhaktapur. In addition, accompanied by the local military, the organization even reached a region in the mountains called Melamchi with multiple isolated villages.
Upon completion of the rescue operation, the “Rescuers Without Borders” organization left a small team of volunteers to establish the following activities. The idea behind the project was to arrange first aid courses conducted by professionals, in order to train the locals, and in the second stage – to establish a branch in the area.
Branches
Currently two branches operate in Nepal and constantly ready for any scenario. Dr. Bijay Tamang manages the branch in Kathmandu and Lelita manages the branch in the Tanchitar region.
[Arye Levi, Executive Director of the “Rescuers Without Borders” organization and Dr. Bijay Tamang, Nepal Branch Manager, August 17, 2015. Lelita, Tanchitar and Kili Branch Manager and Training Course Manager, Nepal, August 2015.]
Training courses
Several months after the earthquake, at the initiative of Alba Shanar and with the help of her network of supporters, the “Rescuers Without Borders” organization launched 5 rescue and first aid courses in the villages of Tukarpa and Tanchitar, as well as in Kathmandu. Medical assistant, who specialize in medical and paramedical fields, acquired skills to provide first aid to the injured. The course was conducted by two nurses, Mamata and Sonia. In addition, the students received first aid and resuscitation kits in order to be able to take action in emergency situations. The participants were very enthusiastic and asked to serve as the organization’s ambassadors in Nepal.
Dr. Bijay, in cooperation with the Health and Development Society of Nepal (HDSN), arranged additional first aid courses for schoolteachers in the area (Bhaktapur, Lalitpur and Kathmandu) and for volunteers. In total, organization managed to train about 700 volunteers in medical, paramedical and educational fields, and to equip them with life-saving kits.
Due to multiple events in the region, these training programs are welcomed and allow participants to expand their professional knowledge, to become more acquainted with the available equipment. Training provides the participants with confidence and emotional strength that will serve them in times of need.
Hybrid expedition: Orphanage/Training Center
In 2016, we were informed about an orphanage in Kathmandu that was in a particularly difficult financial situation. We decided to provide support by paying the rent. In return, part of the building became our permanent training center, where we conduct the first aid and rescue courses.
Local residents, who are well aware of the high earthquake probability in their region, welcomed the initiative.
Doctor visits
In order to address the medical needs of the population located in disaster-stricken areas with destroyed infrastructure, medical teams need to be sent to isolated regions. “Rescuers Without Borders” joined a “medical camp”, a kind of field hospital located in Kirtipur, where several associations joined forces to provide assistance to the residents. This emergency clinic provided a range of free medical services to about 150 people (general medicine, dentistry, acupuncture and psychology).
August 2017: a new natural disaster
Dr. Bijay, our representative in Nepal, drew our attention to the catastrophic situation created as a result of monsoon rains the hit three countries: India, Bangladesh and Nepal, where the flood caused the death of about 100 people of caused 100,000 people to leave their homes.
The volunteers, who were trained by us, immediately came to the rescue and currently, they take an active part in searching the area.
We act in two main area: field clinics and restoration of destroyed houses. This event requires immediate response, since in case of floods of this kind, the situation could rapidly deteriorate and become a humanitarian disaster.
Following are the activities we plan to lead:
• Rescue – recruiting volunteers to help the victims.
• Collaborate with other local aid and rescue organizations to join forces.
• Distribute sanitary equipment to prevent the spread of epidemics.
• Address emergency situations with help of volunteers trained to provide first aid.
• Assistance as part of mobile field hospitals.
• Provide emotional support and games for children.
We would like to express our support for the victims and wish successes to the “Rescuers Without Border” teams in their mission.