In light of the catastrophic earthquake that struck central Nepal on April 25, Duke University has imposed a full country restriction on travel to the country.
“The loss of life and damage to infrastructure that have impacted travel, sanitation and basic services like lodging and access to drinkable water and food are our biggest concern,” said Eric Mlyn, chair of Duke’s Global Travel Advisory Committee (GTAC), which advises the provost on decisions to lift or impose a restriction on travel. “Duke has a long history and many connections in Nepal, so this is devastating to watch,.”
Professor Brandon Kohrt, an assistant professor of psychiatry, global health and cultural anthropology, who lived in Nepal for several years and has several ongoing projects in and around Kathmandu, connected with health teams on the ground in Nepal over the weekend. “I’ve begun working with colleagues and the WHO on the mental health and psychosocial support response for those who lost loved ones," Kohrt said. "Our hope is to issue guidelines for the many NGOs who will be coming into Nepal to assist in the aftermath of this tragedy."
“There are several undergraduate students whose summer travel will be affected by this event and the resulting restriction,” Mlyn said. “We’re reaching out to them now to see if alternative plans can be arranged.”
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Duke community has launched several relief efforts for Nepal. Four undergraduates from the country, Pratiksha Sharma, Suman Bajgain, Abhishek Upadhyaya and Laxmi Rajak, have started a GoFundMe site to raise funds for relief efforts.
In addition, HeartMind International, a registered nonprofit founded by Duke faculty and students working in Nepal, is raising funds to support psychosocial services for children and families affected by the earthquake.
“Duke’s undergraduates from Nepal have done a remarkable job of responding quickly to the crisis and raising an impressive amount of money for earthquake relief, which they’ll administer after they finish exams and return home,” said David Jarmul, the head of Duke’s Office of News and Communications, who was a Peace Corps volunteer in Nepal and retains close ties to the country. “In turn, the Duke community has stepped up to support what they’re doing.”
In addition to responding to the events in South Asia, Duke’s provost and GTAC have been tracking the increase in violence far across the globe in the African nation of Burundi. “We’ve watched travel advisories from western governments raised from alerts to warnings and now recommendations to evacuate and avoid all travel to the country,” said Christy Michels, Duke’s travel policy administrator. “We reached out to faculty with ties to Burundi and all indications are to avoid travel, at least until after the election to be held in late June.”
Stephen Smith, professor of the practice in African & African American Studies, said the “most disquieting element in the run-up to the vote is the ‘informal’ and largely unpredictable violence emanating from the ruling party's youth wing, the imbonerakure ("those that see far"). Four protesters were killed on Sunday after the incumbent president announced that he'd run for a third term, which conflicts with constitutional term limitations.”
“Summer is the busiest travel season for Duke students, faculty and staff,” Michels said. “Duke travelers visit more than100 nations every year and we’ve come to rely and appreciate the first-hand accounts that they bring back to us. It helps us to stay informed and react quickly when action must be taken or help is needed.”
Michels said the earthquake underscored the importance of Duke officials being able to connect with members of the Duke community as they travel abroad. Undergraduates are required to report on their travel plans using the Duke International Travel Registry website.