Last night the earthquake we now know emanated from India. At 6.8 on the richter scale the ripples reached Kathmandu, but most damage was done in the rural eastern region of the country.
It is a place of sporadic population, mainly agricultural, like most of Nepal with fields precariously perched on the slopes of the Himalayas. The effects of the quake, were found in the landslides that washed away the years produce, the access roads to markets, and aid.
Sadly as more news trickles in it appears that a lot of the deaths caused in Nepal were not due to the quake itself but in the panic that ensued. Some jumped from third floor windows, some got caught in stampeding crowds. Despite being a country that has had seven quakes this year alone, it is not one that seems culturally or practically prepared. There is little awareness of earthquake safety although there are organisations working hard to address this issue. But as we have been told by more than one Nepali friend, “ We don’t have an earthquake kit, if we are meant to die, we will die. I don’t want to think about it, if I buy one I will have to think about it.” Whilst this is by no means the attitude of all, in a fatalistic society the idea of preparing for such an event in this way is hard to comprehend. This attitude is hard for westerners to understand, but as the buildings swayed and the earth trembled, the bells rang out in fury as Hindus and Buddhists alike ran to their temples to appease the gods who had shaken the earth and offer a puja for safety. This is their version of an earthquake kit.
Whilst our “go bag” was checked and rechecked again this morning, and remains firmly under our bed in case of need, it did make us remember in whom our safety is found. Not in stone carvings that need to be appeased so as to remain in their favour, but in the God whose love is unshakeable, and our firm foundation.
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