Feature: Nepalese praise Chinese rescue team as cooperative, resourceful, well-coordinated

The China International Search and Rescue Team (CISAR) camp at the Narayanhiti palace museum in Kathmandu, was ready to move to its home country after the official announcement of the completion of search and rescue operations.

In the camp most of the members were packing up their bags and others were having an early breakfast. The breakfast of noodles and readymade canned foods had become their regular food. They had spent 12 difficult days without having a bath. They just washed their heads with the cold water provided by the Nepalese army camp.

The central part of the camp was where the logistics and medical items were kept. The difference was that the goods had received new tags in English with some descriptions to assist local people to use them properly. Previously, the goods were tagged mostly in Chinese.

After a few minutes, Sojit Silwal, major of the Nepal army valley department that coordinates all the foreign rescue teams, arrived to receive the goods that CISAR decided to handover for the earthquake affected people.

One lady from CISAR handed a list of the goods to the officer. The Chinese rescue team handed 33 logistics materials and 38 medical objects to the department of Nepal army. The lady took a few more minutes to introduce all the items to alleviate possible language problems.

The Nepal army said that the goods will be used for those affected.

"We will use the materials and the medical items for the earthquake affected people," said the major.

He found the Chinese team to be very closely coordinated.

"They have very good working ethics and we are really thankful for their hard work," he added.

"It was really a very good time to work with the Chinese rescue team," said captain Prabal of the Nepal army, a liaison officer.

The liaison officer said that this is the first foreign heavy Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team to start work in Nepal.

One of the Nepalese army officials working with the team said, "I will really miss this team." He said that their work has also been praised by local people.

"We coordinated with them and provided only the basic resources, " said another army member in the camp.

"They were well prepared for their needs," he added. He also noted that the rescue team had good skills and technology for such a disastrous situation.

After their arrival in Nepal the following day after the devastating earthquake, the rescue team had worked in Dhading and Kathmandu.

"They rescued two live victims from the debris," informed the liaison officer.

The CISAR checked up on 7481 people and treated more than 3000 patients with various illnesses and injuries in their deployed areas.

"Look they are using an excavator to bury the toilet, they have left not a trace of dirt here," said a junior member of the Nepalese army.

More than 60 members of the team had rescue dogs, regarded as the most important part of such emergency teams, work faithfully and tirelessly across the boundaries.

A few days earlier, the deputy team leader of CISAR said, "We really praise the cooperation and coordination of the Nepalese army in such a disastrous situation."

People in the airport bid farewell to the Chinese team and showed their heartfelt gratitude for the team's efforts before the departure of CISAR at the airport on Friday. Endi