| NSET Efforts on Post Earthquake Situation |
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Information Gathering/Dissemination and Media Coordination
NSET has been gathering information/updates of the earthquake from different sources, government, UN, partner organizations ( mostly local radios) based in different districts across the country, local contacts and various other sources and is compiling them for further dissemination once verified. NSET has been working with local radio and TV stations to send out clear messaging to mitigate against the many rumors currently circulating regarding further earthquakes. NSET have advised that people can go back into buildings which do not have visible cracks and have warned people to avoid going into buildings with very visible cracks. Common messages have also been developed. Development of Situation Maps NSET is preparing a multitude of different maps to support the response and provide visuals on the situation. Based on the information gathered from various areas of the country NSET has prepared various situation maps such as preliminary Intensity distribution to data on people impacted, Intensity Map of Kathmandu and around; Population exposure in different intensity and shared for the purpose of any further use in devising plan of action needed further. Damage Assessments of Critical Facilities NSET has mobilized a team of engineers in different groups for conducting damage assessment of the critical facilities in different areas of Kathmandu Valley. NSET has further called for the interested volunteers to join the team to increase the number of assessments. NSET have been conducting assessments, based on requests, of critical facilities (hospitals, electricity service stations, TV and radio stations, etc.) to assess whether they can be used or not. So far, NSET has assessed 14 hospital buildings. After the assessment, those hospitals were recommended for either full operation, partial operation and no operation as per the result obtained from the assessment. In addition to the assessment of the hospitals, other facilities such as Media houses, Electric Substations, Nepal Telecom Mobile Tower, Water Supply system and were also assessed. On top of the assessment of critical facilities, NSET have been collecting information from the districts and will mobilize teams to conduct assessments in the districts soon to understand the extent of the damage, the % of buildings severely / moderately / minor damages, will then superimpose with population data to collect information. NSET are also hoping to be part of a helicopter fly over in the next couple of days (if possible) in order to make an initial aerial assessment of the situation. In terms of the initial damage assessments (and then detailed assessments) of buildings, NSET intend to prepare a concept note on this for review with the DUDBC in order to plan for the resources require. Assisting in Search and Rescue NSET’s Collapsed Structure Search and Rescue trained professionals have been supporting the Nepal Police and Nepal Army SAR team in conducting the search and rescue operations in different parts of the valley. Further to that NSET also mobilised the NSET trained volunteers on Community Light Search and Rescue (CLSAR) for assisting the SAR team. NSET, through PEER support, distributed sets of CSSR equipments recently to Nepal Police Central Disaster Response Squadron, to complement institutionalization of CSSR. The MoHA-GoN designated Nepal Police as partner training institute for the implementation of MFR and CSSR courses. School buildings Assessment Working with the Private Sector NSET is coordinating with the private sector for the support they are willing and able to provide. It is hoped that the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) will shortly organize a meeting with private sector actors, NSET, UN HCT, and other relevant actors to discuss how best to involve the private sector in the response. Counseling to local people NSET is working with Karya Binayak Municipality and local organizations to disseminate information about earthquake, particularly aftershocks and to help people get right information against the rumors. NSET is also assisting people to assess their buildings for the purpose of immediate occupancy. NSET has been coordinating with local organizations for relief support to the local community as well. Orientation to Nepal Engineers Association (NEA) members on Damage Assessment NSET in association with NEA and other Engineering societies gave orientation to more than 400 engineers on 30 April, 2015 for the Rapid Damage Assessment. The oriented engineers will be mobilized for the assessment in various teams. The team will be further trained in groups before being deployed in the field. Use of Amateur Radio in Emergency Communication Realizing the vast importance of Amateur Radio in emergency communication Amateur Radio Stations has been set up in three different areas 1) Residence of 9N1AA (Satish Krishna Kharel), 2) Brihaspati Vidya Sadan and 3) NSET office. A team of HAM operators from NIAR India has arrived in Kathmandu to assist the Nepali HAMs in the set up of field stations and facilitate in emergency communications. Further to this HAM operators will be mobilized to the most affected areas outside the valley where there is no other means of communication. A team has been already mobilized to Gorkha on 30 April 2015 and they will start operation as soon as possible. Relief Support Coordination Volunteer mobilization Local, National and International coordination on Humanitarian Assistance NSET have received a lot of phone calls and emails from a multitude of international partners and friends who are hoping to support with the response either by sending personnel or funds and are working to determine how best to follow up on these. NSET Coordinated with Mercy Malaysia team for their set up of Field hospital in Sankhu Area. Mercy Malaysia has mobilized their field Medical Team for medical support in Kathmandu aftermath a big earthquake of April 2015.The field hospital is being set up at the school premises today with the help from local volunteers’ as well volunteer doctors from Kathmandu. |
| NSET Efforts | |
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» Information Gathering/Dissemination and Media Coordination » Development of Situation Maps » Damage Assessments of Critical Facilities » Assisting in Search and Rescue » School buildings Assessment » Working with the Private Sector » Counseling to local people » Orientation to Nepal Engineers Association (NEA) members on Damage Assessment » Use of Amateur Radio in Emergency Communication » Relief Support Coordination » Volunteer mobilization » Local, National and International coordination on Humanitarian Assistance | |