NRCS ambulances saved many people after heavy clashes in Nawalparasi district. Nepal Red Cross Society operates ambulances in 56 out of 75 districts of the country from 73 stations. The ambulances have saved hundreds of lives during the ongoing conflict in the country.

Volunteers of the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) have become first responders after the clashes between government security forces and Nepal Communist Party – Maoists (CPN-M) fighters in the armed conflict of Nepal that started a decade ago. The volunteers have rescued the wounded, provided them with first aid services, taken them to hospitals, provided the affected with emergency relief materials and raised awareness on mines and other unexploded ordinances left at the sites of the clashes saving people from possible dangers.

Recently, the NRCS workers played a significant role to support the wounded, aware the public and save lives after heavy clashes in Palpa and Nawalparasi districts of western Nepal.

After the clash in the beautiful city of Tansen on 31 January, the residents of Palpa district headquarter were terrified and they could not go out of their houses. The fire in the government buildings that was caused during the fight was spreading threatening the nearby houses. The city streets were full of unexploded ordinance and explosive remnants of war. Vice-President of Nepal Red Cross, Palpa district branch, Yas Pal Shakya says "It looked like a war zone."

Awareness raising on explosives and mines has become one of the major tasks of the NRCS. Such campaigns have saved people from being victims of the unexploded ordinances and mines in the aftermath of clashes.

"We were the first people to go out with water buckets," says Mr. Shakya. "It was very difficult to find any one who would dare to go out to help. The telephone lines were dead and I could not even contact the Red Cross people," he adds. Mr. Shakya, with other RC volunteers, gathered some local youths and extinguished the fire that was about to engulf the public houses despite dire lack of water in the city. "At least five houses would turn to ashes if it was fifteen minutes late," a local says. The Red Cross played a coordinating role in the rescue, says Mr. Shakya.

That was not the end. There was a great risk of unexploded ordinances. They could take lives of many if something was not done immediately. Namita Bashyal, secretary of a youth circle in the city, says, "It was very dangerous to go out. Anyone might be hurt or even lose life if timely precaution was not taken."

The Red Cross workers immediately started announcing from loudspeakers and local FM radios about the danger of touching anything strange. They requested the children not to touch anything that they did not know and told the guardians to explain to their children about the danger of the unidentified objects. They also put posters making the public aware of the consequences of touching such objects. They also went to all the nearby villages. Mr. Shakya says, "It was reported that there were such explosive devices in the periphery of 11 kilometres. We went to all the sides and gave the message."

Vice-President of Nepal Red Cross, Palpa branch, Yas Pal Shakya, tells how they helped the local after the heavy clash in the district headquarter.

Luckily, no one was hurt from the explosive devices in the district after that incident. An elated Namita says, "We are happy that no one was even hurt. We feel that we were successful."

In an adjoining district of Nawalparasi, Red Cross workers saved many wounded transporting them to nearby hospitals when a clash took place between the two sides in Ramwapur area of the district. There was a heavy casualty and there was no one to help the wounded and take care of the dead bodies. "Red Cross went with its flag and rescued the wounded. We even took care of the dead bodies," says Gopal Prasad Sharma, President of Sunawal sub-branch of Nepal Red Cross. They also announced from loudspeaker about the Red Cross presence and called anyone who was wounded and might be hiding for fear of attack from the opposite side. The Red Cross was respected by both the parties to the conflict. "We were allowed to work by both, so we could perform the way we did," adds Mr. Sharma.

Danger of the unexploded ordinances remained in the area, too. The Red Cross workers gave message and requested the

Children playing with bullets and unexploded remnants of war in a remote village of Palpa district. Every year, hundreds of children are wounded; some are even killed, by such objects. Nepal Red Cross society is working with communities and school children to aware them regarding such dangerous objects. Photo: Kantipur Daily

public not to touch anything new to them. They also informed the concerned body about such dangers and helped to dispose them. Mr. Sharma says, "We have to make everyone aware of them so that no one will have to lose life or be hurt."

The NRCS Volunteers had provided similar service in Myagdi district when a fight took place between the conflicting parties two years ago. They also raised awareness about the unexploded explosives and mines and saved many people from the danger. Similarly, they provided life saving services to the conflict victims in Chitwan last year when a bomb hit a public bus killing more than three dozens and wounding much more.

Since the conflict started in Nepal, the NRCS has been providing humanitarian service to the conflict affected people in the capacity of a neutral and impartial humanitarian organization. The NRCS has developed into an organization able to address humanitarian needs in times of conflict. Cooperation Delegate of the ICRC Valerie Dourdin says, "Training Red Cross volunteers in conflict response, Mine Risk Education and dissemination of the Red Cross principles are key elements to increase the NRCS readiness to respond to the need of the victims of the ongoing conflict." Namita says, "The Mine Risk Education (MRE) programme that started in our district eight months ago paid off this time."

Volunteers at all levels are confident that they can provide service to needy people at all times. Mr. Sharma says, "We have the capacity to work in conflict. The recent incident is an example that we can do."