DART team returns from Nepal earthquake mission
Lt-Cmdr. Kelly Williamson talks to Ottawa Morning about experience in earthquake-ravaged Nepal
Canada's Disaster Assistance Response Team has returned home from Nepal after two devastating earthquakes earlier this spring resulted in the deaths of nearly 9,000 people.
DART's mandate is to set up emergency relief operations for up to 40 days — until longer-term aid organizations can take over.
"I wasn't exactly sure what to expect," Lieutenant-Commander Kelly Williamson, a senior public affairs officer with DART, told CBC's Ottawa Morning after returning to Canada.
Although she had prepared to see the worst, Williamson said she was most struck by the Nepalese response to the natural disaster.
"Yes, things were very devastated. Villages were destroyed up to 80, 90 per cent. But the people have a resilience, and despite the earthquake they were out there trying to salvage whatever material they could to begin rebuilding," she said. "So from that perspective, it was inspirational."
Bodies of 53 victims continue to be recovered over the weekend
DART's first assignment upon deployment was to establish an operating base about 70 kilometres east of Kathmandu, said Williamson.
"Our priority was to keep the Friendship Highway in Sindhupalchok District open so NGOs could follow behind us and bring humanitarian support," she said.
The recovery continues in Nepal — over the weekend, Nepali soldiers and police recovered the bodies of 53 trekkers and villagers buried in avalanches set off by the earthquakes.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25 was followed by a second one on May 12 with a magnitude of 7.3. That one temporarily cut off one the DART teams from its base.
DART provided field and construction engineers, and medical assistance, such as first aid, laboratory, pharmacy, rehydration, preventive medicine and limited obstetrics services. Team members came from various military units across the country, Williamson said.
DART headquarters also provided command and control, linking with other Canadian government departments, the government of Nepal and international humanitarian groups.