10 Things I Learned From #NepalEarthquake

A year has passed but even now at the moment, while I am writing this article here I still can feel that shiver within me as that of last year in the afternoon of 25th April, when I was in the middle of the MTR station sitting in the corner and trying to check out the updates about earthquake in Nepal on news site and social media.

More worse was then when I was unable to reach family and friends on phone. And even till today, it does not feel right as there are news about aftershocks and earthquakes at present. However, I am happy to hear of relief, rebuilt & reconstruction programmes but very angry and not happy at the same time as I hear of corruptions as well as disturbing political situation which is delaying the help in rebuilding Nepal.

All I have is hope that Nepal and her people are recovering everyday since then, while I will do my best on how I can help from my side together with other like minded people locally and globally. While I would like to offer my prayers to the people in Nepal as well as I would like to thank people around everywhere who prayed, supported and are supporting Nepal following that incident by being there in person or even from being away.

Most important for me, this earthquake has already taught me few lessons regarding such disaster and I don’t know still how much I have yet to learn but I am sharing TEN lessons that I have learned so far.

1. Help! But DO NOT rush to help!
Many people around STARTED collecting funds, clothes and medicines and also got ready to go for help. I know it is natural but most of them did not have idea about how is the real situation and what are the real needs there. Personally I felt without knowing the real situation and needs required going would not be helpful ’cause the situation.

2. You CAN help from ANYWHERE!
I felt helpless watching the photos and videos of the incident and I badly wanted to go and help the people. But having so many things to think about here and there, personal and professional, I decided not to go but I found there are many ways to help; seems like fundraising and even ONLINE fundraising, collecting clothes are the best and convenient ways, and everyone seems to do that… but in a different way!

3. You can do MORE than fundraising and collecting clothes!
Asking people to donate money is good but a traditional idea, and most of the time that was what I saw people doing it too. Why not other ways, and there can be many other events!
Charity quiz, charity dinners, fund raising music programmes, inside and even outside the streets, creating and selling stuffs and many many more.
Glad me and my friends participated in charity quiz with Nepal Youth Foundation!

Well you just be CREATIVE ;)

Proud that me and my sister also came up with clothing line KTA.KTEE where we started to design, produce, sell & still selling charitee as well as tote bags to raise fund for the relief for the earthquake.

WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KETAKETEE

4. Social media is NOT a bad thing!
“Why are you always on Facebook?”
“Twitter is so boring! What to do with 140 characters?”
“Don’t stick to your mobile phone all the time using those social media!”

Yes many people are addicted to social media, and this time I was keeping my eyes on it too so that I can know what is happening there.
More than on news channels, I was glued to Facebook & Twitter!
And yes, there were so many fund raising activities, campaigns as well as groups set up online that was started.

*P.S. I love Facebook’s Safety Check! Thanks Mark ☺

5. But DO NOT believe everything you see on social media or news!
Now just because you are getting most of the news from social media or even news channels do not mean that all of them are correct.
People are posting images and news that are from the past or not even associated with that disaster.

And some of the images were also very disturbing. I think one should not post disturbing images online, not only because of the nature of the image, but I’d also say so as it is about respecting the dignity of the people, even they are the deceased ones.

6. Empathy is IMPORTANT!
While some of us prefer social media, some prefer news or both, and this time, however most of us were not happy with the news channel.
And all that was sparked by the news channel from India, which just added insult to the injury not only to Nepalese people in Nepal & abroad, but also to Indian themselves and others.

So I’d like to request journalists from India or elsewhere to learn about empathy FIRST!

*See #GoHomeIndianMedia on Twitter

7. Blaming, complaining & shaming is NOT the solution!
Reading and hearing about how most of the political parties and their (corrupted) leaders in Nepal is always a sad story even pre-disaster. Now no wonder we all saw and are seeing their actions even during this time of emergency situation.

However, we need to use our energy and mind in a positive manner rather than just focusing on what the leaders did and what

8. There is NO health without mental health!
I am sure the earthquake has not only affected the earthquake survivors physically but also psychologically! And apart from them also their family member, volunteers, rescue workers and us who are away are also affected. Only how much one is affected is the difference. Therefore, priority also should be given to mental health relief, not only in Nepal but also Nepalese community around the globe, which is usually ignored or overlooked in society and mental health stigma is common.

9. Prevention is ALWAYS better than cure!
Many of us say this but only few practice this. And I think this is something that I think is one of the most important lessons I have learned. From safety standards while constructing the buildings & roads to planning city and preparing for disaster and training for such events, everyone should be aware and thus training and practice on these is very important.

10. Get up. Stand up. There is always HOPE!
While I feel bad as we have lost many lives, saw those ancient heritages falling down, I feel good when I see as there are many helping hands. I am sure with all these good people around the globe, all those what we lost can be rebuilt better and stronger!

EXTRA

11. No matter what happens, NEVER forget to laugh!

One of the best characters I find in my Nepalese people is that, no matter how hard the situation is, we never forget to laugh & make others laugh… if needed LAUGH OUT LOUD too! Humour is the medicine :)

Here are some of the images that was around the social media then. How funny? Quite creative and humorous some people are.