KATHMANDU: A total of 137 people lost their lives, 800 houses were damaged and around 1,600 houses have developed cracks in Dallu area, Ward-15 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City in the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks. Vehicles have been stopped from passing through that area due to the at-risk houses.

And the locals here have a lot to do — demolish vulnerable structures, clear the debris and open the road for vehicles. It is difficult to do everything on their own. So, to help the Dallu locals in their task a group of volunteers joined them on June 6.

Around 20 men in yellow tee-shirts and yellow helmets were busy demolishing the vulnerable parts of the mud houses. Though not trained, they climbed to the different floors of the damaged houses, hammered the walls or other destroyed parts and cleaned the created debris — mud, bricks or wood.

As per Raju Kharel, coordinator of the vounteers, they started their work from June with volunteers from various groups — “60 people from the Congress Khelkud Bibhag Toli and women from different women’s groups. We have taken the help of Nepal Army of the Ranger Gaan Chhauni too”.

While the men were busy demolishing the houses, the women were stopping passersby from going through the area as it was not safe. Both male and female vounteers were working together on that day doing their part as per their capability supporting the locals in need.

In this group of volunteers was 57-year-old Shushila Pradhan because “it is the time when everyone should do whatever they can to help raise the country. Only when men and women work hand in hand, can our country return to her normal state. This is the time when our service is needed the most”.

The desire to help is not always everything. Despite this desire, not all are able to muster the courage to work in such risky areas — you don’t know when the buildings may collapse, and afterschocks continue.

However, 40-year-old Ramita Shahi is not scared. “It is not the time to be scared but to do any kind of work you are capable of doing.” Though not trained to demolish houses, she was helping by “informing people about risks and precautions they can take in the area, carrying bricks, logs, et cetera and arranging them and clearing the roads”.

Why volunteer in the area? Kharel shared, “The vulnerable parts of damaged houses pose risk to people passing through this area. So, to minimise further injuries and casualties, we are demolishing those vulnerable parts.”

The group will help all 35 wards of KMC, as per Kharel. They work everyday from 7:00-10:00 am, and from 3:00-7:00 pm. If required, this group of volunteers will come to your area to help. Their service is free. You can contact them at 9841206428.