Caught in the landslide: Finding refuge and resilience in Tuensang

August 11, 2024 5 Views No Comment

Moses Hongang Chang
Tuensang | August 11

In Tuensang town, Phinjang colony is facing a severe crisis due to recent landslides and persistent heavy rains. The situation has led to widespread evacuations, with residents seeking safety in temporary relief camps- one at C/Khel ground and the other at the old church building in Tuensang village.

State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel serves meal to families taking shelter at a relief camp. (Morung Photo)

The District Hospital has become a central hub for managing the crisis. Medical staff have been working around the clock, screening and treating evacuees to ensure their health and safety.

Beti, one of the campers staying in the old church building, recounted how her son had developed a boil on his cheek before they evacuated. He had undergone a minor surgery at the District Hospital and was now healing, she said with a touch of gratitude in her voice.

Nearby, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) is engaged in a challenging task. The relentless rains have transformed the ground at the relief camps into a slushy waterlogged expanse, making their efforts to dry out the area particularly difficult.

To support these efforts, local communities have rallied together. Members of the Keshai Village Union arrived early in the morning, bringing bamboo and tools to assist with the situation. Their goal was to aid in creating makeshift pathways over the muddy ground, providing some relief for those navigating the soggy terrain.

“We came to show solidarity,” said one member of the group, his hands already covered in mud from crafting bamboo mats. “It is essential to help when we can. Today, it has happened to them. Tomorrow, it could be any of us.”

In the relief camps, efforts are being made to maintain a semblance of normalcy. One key priority is ensuring that children continue their education despite the upheaval. A tent has been designated as a study area, where children like Chaang Lepla, an eighth-grader from Hakushang Government School, gather for evening study sessions.

Classes are conducted from seven to nine each night, starting with a prayer led by mothers in the camp.

To address frequent power outages, a generator ensures that the study sessions continue without interruption.

Food distribution is also a key priority. Meals are provided regularly, including meat three times a week, and snacks and tea are available throughout the day. SDRF personnel assist with the distribution to ensure adequate nutrition for all. Despite these provisions, campers express a deep sense of loss for their homes. One camper noted, “Of course, we miss our home,” his voice reflecting sadness. “But where else could we go if not for this relief camp?”

The situation is especially difficult for daily wage earners, many of whom face increased financial uncertainty due to the evacuation. Many of the campers are daily wage earners, whose livelihoods have been further jeopardized by the current circumstances. In total, 34 families are currently housed in the camps—14 at the C/Khel ground and 20 in the old church building.

Despite the adversity, the sense of community within the relief camps remains strong. Visitors are met with warm smiles and handshakes, though there is an underlying anxiety that reflects the uncertainty of their situation. Children peek out from their makeshift quarters, only to retreat shyly when approached. Behind these gestures of warmth lies a persistent worry about the homes they left behind, the disruption of their lives, and the unknown future.