Centre of Saving Lives

"I am a geologist. After the earthquake, my job required me to travel to villages and communities that were at high risk of natural disasters and earthquake-induced landslides. I remember going to a community and remember how we were received. There were meat and garlands and all kinds of activities to entertain us. In my heart, I understood why the villagers spent money to welcome us. It was at our recommendation that the government would approve the relocating of the entire village to a safer area. I understood their fear of living on such a volatile earth threatening their homes and lives. Although they were eventually relocated to a safer area, it took a long time. There was a lack of coordination between departments involved which put them at continued risks. The approach should be that if a community is identified as high risk then they are moved without delay but that has not been the case here. Many pleas have been lost in files and many have gone unanswered. As a geologist, knowing that there are many communities who do not have the resources or the know-how to apply for investigation or assessment of risks they live with. And because of these reasons, many families have lost their land and the lives of their loved ones. It is not fair that this happens and that no lessons are learned. It is not fair that this is still the case when there is so much money. The first thing we need to do is to listen to the lived experiences of these people who are vulnerable. This is at the centre of saving lives."