Disaster Management Guidelines for Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries & Nunneries

Disaster Management Guidelines for Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries & Nunneries

A Khoryug Publication

About Khoryug: Rangjung Khoryug Sungkyob Tsokpa, known as Khoryug in short, is an association of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries in the Himalayas and South India working to progress environmental protection, sustainability and climate change resilience projects under the auspices of His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. Khoryug has a membership of over 50 monasteries, nunneries and centers drawing from all sects of Tibetan Buddhism. Our vision is to practically apply the values of compassion and interdependence by protecting the Earth and helping all living beings that dwell here. Khoryug is an initiative of the Kun Kyong Charitable Trust.

Acknowledgements: This book was made possible through the contribution and support of the following: National Institute of Disaster Management, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India • Dr. Rajesh Kumar Singh, Joint Director and Head (Response Division) • Chandrani Bandyopadhyay, Assistant Professor Environmental Desk, Central Tibetan Administration • Tsering Dhundup, Previous Deputy Secretary Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Senior Instructor • Dr. Behrouz Moghaddasi Osel Foundation • Wasfia Nazreen National Disaster Response Force, Government of India • Second Battalion

Khoryug Coordination Committee • Dekila Chungyalpa • Lhakpa Tsering • Khenpo Chokey Gyaltsen, Pullahari Monastery, Nepal • Sopa Lama, Bokar Monastery, India • Lama Jigme Ngodup, Nyede Rabtenling Monastery, Bhutan • Damaris Miller Illustrations by Tenzin Gyurmey Dorjee Design by Vertiver. Vertiver is a creative agency based in New Delhi that works on issues of sustainability and climate change. Visit www.vertiver.com for more information.

Printed by Norbugraphics

Material from this book can be used freely but please acknowledge the source.

Copyright© 2017 His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

Disaster Management Guidelines for Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries & Nunneries

DIRECTED BY THE SEVENTEENTH GYALWANG KARMAPA OGYEN TRINLEY DORJE

Table of Contents Foreword

1

Introduction

5

Earthquake Safety

12

Fire Safety

22

Flood Safety

34

Landslide Safety

42

Storm Safety

50

Healing the Heart and Mind: A Message from His Holiness

60

Restoring Inner Resilience

64

application of our

Conclusion

71

Bodhisattva vow to

Addendum Purify Drinking Water Basic First Aid Making a Disaster Management Plan Emergency Supplies & Resources Glossary

73 73 74 77 80 83

References

87

Disaster management can be the practice and

benefit all sentient beings and bring cessation to their suffering.

Foreword Disaster management is not an easy subject to discuss. Many people are superstitious and worry that we are inviting disasters by talking about them and would prefer to leave the topic alone. And yet, as we saw during the 2015 Nepal Earthquake, being prepared and knowing how to respond is crucial if we want to protect lives during a crisis. By preparing for disasters, we learn new skills and develop new habits that reduce the risk of loss or injury. We also learn how to respond immediately and effectively to help our family, community members or anyone else who is in need.

Sometimes, it takes great suffering for us to gain wisdom. Those of us who live in the Himalayas should take past experiences of disasters as motivation to build stronger, more knowledgeable and more resilient communities.

The conch shell represents the beautiful

I know that monks and nuns across

sound of the spread of the Buddhadharma.

mobilize themselves and participate in

Its sound is deep, far-reaching and melodious, and hearing it awakens beings

the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas will the efforts of rescuing, sheltering and providing help for people affected by a

The most effective disaster management plan is a practice in both wisdom and compassion: wisdom to learn from our experience and improve our conditions and compassion to help all sentient beings in times of great suffering.

disaster. I have heard of several cases of monks and nuns helping with immediate

from the deep slumber of ignorance, urging

response efforts in remote areas that were inaccessible to government agencies

them to accomplish the welfare of others

and nunneries have provided long-term help to local communities struggling

and themselves.

and relief organizations. There are many other cases as well where monasteries with devastation.

These kinds of activities led by monastics may seem small when facing the enormous complexities of disasters. However, within local communities they have an immense tangible and emotional impact in alleviating suffering.

1

Disaster management can be the practice and application of our Bodhisattva vow to benefit all sentient beings and bring cessation to their suffering. If we have this perspective, we should commit to practicing disaster management within the framework of the six paramitas [perfections]—generosity, discipline, patience, exertion, meditation and transcedental knowledge. The most effective disaster

We must be committed to practicing disaster management with the six paramitas [perfections]

management plan is a practice in both wisdom and compassion: wisdom to learn from our experience and improve our conditions and compassion to help all sentient beings in times of great suffering and need.

l ta

Where we cut down forests or cut too deeply into mountains, we cause landslides.

t r an

at dit Me

I strongly urge Buddhist monastics to continue to protect nature and the environmental resources of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas.

Six Paramitas Pa tie nc e

parts which has led to unintended negative consequences.

io n Exertion

Where we dam up or change the course of rivers, we create floods downstream.

Where we release carbon emissions by burning fossil fuels, we give rise to air pollution and worsen the effects of climate change. Our actions are often the very cause of our own suffering.

Keeping this in mind, I strongly urge Buddhist monastics to continue to protect nature and the environmental resources of the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas. Such activities provide us with opportunities to alleviate suffering for an unimaginable number of sentient beings. At the same time, given that the Himalayan region is very vulnerable to earthquakes and climate-related disasters, it is very important that monasteries and nunneries learn the basics of disaster management.

2

Di

e

success, we humans have damaged many of the relationships between these

e

lin

many interdependent and vitally important parts. In our blind pursuit for material

Generosity

ip sc

way to care for all living beings. The earth is a living system, a whole made up of

kno scen wl den ed g

Protecting the environment, which we all rely upon for our survival is an immediate

3

Introduction Disasters have affected humans throughout our history, often requiring people to adapt to new living conditions and influencing the ways we migrated and settled around the world. In recent decades, our growing understanding of the causes and impacts of natural and manmade disasters has led us to develop strategies that avoid or mitigate their impacts. This field, generally known as disaster management, is often seen as a practice left to national governments or international organizations. And yet, recent disasters in the Himalayas have taught us that we must mobilize communities, local organizations and households if we wish to minimize loss and injury.

According to the United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), every year over 25.8 million people globally are affected by a natural Therefore, I directed Khoryug to organize seven regional workshops during 2016 in India, Nepal and Bhutan that focused solely on the topic of disaster management. We were fortunate to partner on these workshops with the National Institute of Disaster Management of the Government of India, the National Disaster Response Force of the Government of India, the Osel Foundation, and the CERT Senior Instructor Dr. Behrouz Moghadassi. This book merges the knowledge we

disaster. In 2015, there were 574 reported disasters caused by earthquakes, floods, landslides and heat waves, killing over 32,000 people, affecting over 108 million people and causing US$70.3 billion in damage. Disasters cause the greatest damage in countries that are less economically developed and have larger populations of poor people who live in vulnerable areas with few resources to protect themselves from risk.

gained during these workshops with the know-how and experience of monastics

Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar

who helped with emergency response and relief during recent crises.

It has been my goal from the beginning that Khoryug be a non-sectarian organization so that the knowledge, capacity and activity of its member monasteries and nunneries benefit all people regardless of their religious affiliation. I hope that this book is of benefit to all people living in the Himalayas as well as other disaster-vulnerable areas around the world. May the knowledge in this book help us transform our ignorance into wisdom and compassion.

His Holiness the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje

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5

The Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas represent one of these high-risk regions, while also containing some of the most biodiverse and culturally rich areas on Earth. According to the World Wildlife Fund, it is the source for 10 of mainland Asia’s largest rivers and provides water resources for over 1.3 billion people. The plateau and the Himalayan mountain range contain the most snow and ice found anywhere except for the north and south poles. Given that the average temperature is rising more quickly in this region than elsewhere, climate related disasters such as heavy rainfalls, windstorms, flash floods and landslides are serious concerns for mountain communities and people living downstream in river basins.

The Himalayan region is also a recognized hazardous seismic fault zone, meaning that it is prone to powerful earthquakes. The Himalayas are the youngest and highest mountain system in the world. They were created by the movement of two land-masses pushing against each other, in a process known as plate tectonics. As these two land-masses, known as the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate, continue to collide, the Himalayas will naturally rise at the rate of more than 1 cm per year.

It is important to remember that floods, storms, fires, landslides and earthquakes are not always or necessarily disasters. These events become disastrous only when

We must find ways to share local knowledge and build resilience among our communities.

they come into contact with human decision-making in the form of bad infrastructure, lack of education and awareness and poor systems for preparedness, response and recovery. For this reason, we must find ways to share local knowledge and build resilience among our communities.

The disaster management guidelines provided in this book are designed to help

This geology means that disturbances like earthquakes not only created the Himalayas but will continue to occur in the region. Scientists studying the area currently predict that there will be several powerful earthquakes in coming years and decades. While earthquakes are frightening, secondary effects such as the collapse of buildings and triggering of fires and landslides are what lead to loss of life and property. Immediately adopting safety measures and precautions can therefore greatly reduce the negative consequences of earthquakes and other disasters.

monasteries and nunneries prepare for disasters. However, they can also be used as a resource by households, local institutions and organizations. The book offers basic information and advice on how to prepare for, respond to and recover from disasters that commonly threaten Himalayan communities. These tips are meant to aid you and your community to prepare for disasters and thereby reduce the fear, anxiety and losses that often accompany these events. This guide is not comprehensive and should be complemented with further education and research. Additional disaster management resources can be found on pg.

82 in the addendum at the end of this book.

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7

Using this book The first five sections of this book are each dedicated to a type of disaster

Necessary steps for disaster management

and include recommendations on how to prepare, respond and recover from that disaster. These safety measures can be adopted by any individual, while recommendations for institutional changes can be found in colored bands like the one at the top of the following page. The final two sections address mental and emotional health in the aftermath of a disaster.

For administrators Some of the guidelines suggested here refer to structural or administrative changes. They are meant to be used by monastery and nunnery administrators and managers. These guidelines can be found in colored bands such as this

The guidelines in this book are divided into sections based on the disasters that are most common in the Himalayas:

one at the top of the page.

Act now. Develop your Disaster / Emergency plan immediately.

See pg. 77 in the addendum for guidelines on creating a plan.

Assign roles and responsibilities so that there are designated leaders who know what to do before, during and after the

EARTHQUAKES

FIRES

FLOODS

LANDSLIDES

STORMS

event. Establish communication measures so that people know where to get their instructions from and whom to follow during crises.

This book lays out three components to disaster management: Disaster Preparedness focuses on establishing habits, protocols, resources and infrastructure before a disaster to keep people safe during the crisis and allow them to efficiently spring into response and recovery. Preparedness requires having a communication plan, a back-up plan, and ways to train and alert communities so that they know what to do, where to go and who to help.

Create clear messages and signals that are easy to receive, understand and trust. If possible, invest in installing an overhead intercom service throughout your buildings. Train everyone to know the chain of communication command.

Practice your safety measures and hold at least two drills per Disaster Response represents actions and reactions in response to disasters under stressful and uncertain conditions in order to save lives and property. This requires setting up rescue and relief operational plans as well as knowing how to set up temporary shelters and basic first aid facilities.

Disaster Recovery consists of actions following a disaster to help meet the basic needs of all survivors until normal conditions are restored. The meaures in this book focus on short term goals toward reestablishing safety and security.

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year. Select safe meeting points in case you are separated.

Gather enough emergency supplies for each person for at least three days of evacuation. See addendum for a full list of supplies.

Keep your most essential documents and possessions in a small easy-to-carry bag in case you need to evacuate.

9

The Endless Knot symbolizes the nature of reality in which everything is interrelated and exists as part of the web of karma. Having no beginning or end, the Knot also represents the infinite wisdom of the Buddha and the union of compassion and wisdom.

Prepare Earthquake Safety

Administrators • Get a professional assessment of monastery buildings and infrastructure

An earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the earth. Earthquakes

and how to best make them earthquake safe. Perform necessary repairs

happen when pressure is released from underground fractures or cracks

or reinforcements as advised.

called fault lines. Fault lines exist all around the world in the areas between

• Hold earthquake drills. Practice “drop, cover and hold on” and evacuation

different pieces of the earth’s crust. Pressure increases when these pieces

at least twice a year, especially with children. Practice evacuating at all

push into, slide against or pull away from one another until it releases in an earthquake.

times of the day and night.

The Himalayas exist above such a fault line. Due to the strong pressure in this fault line, the entire region extending from the Tibetan Plateau past the Himalayas and to the Indian subcontinent has a history of devastating earthquakes and a high to very high risk of more to come in the future.

Unfortunately, earthquakes are impossible to predict accurately and can

• Select safe places in every room and in public areas such as the temple or dining hall, as well as outside. These places will be where groups take cover or gather during an earthquake.

• Create “buddy groups” of 5-10 monks or nuns. In a buddy group, everyone has to memorize who the other members in their group are and check for them after an evacuation. This can greatly reduce the time needed to check that everyone has evacuated safely.

happen with little warning. They can cause huge losses to life, property and infrastructure. In the Himalayas earthquakes can cause more harm because buildings are often poorly built, and the land itself is often slipping, sliding,

Conduct hazard hunt

or on unstable hillsides.

Conduct a “hazard hunt.” Examine your room and living areas and ask yourself “What here could become dangerous during an earthquake?” Anything you identify is a potential hazard that should be fixed.

Earthquake-proof “Earthquake-proof” your surroundings by removing, moving, fastening or latching items that are likely to break, fall over, cause a fire or hurt people.

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13

Respond If no table or desk, go to a safe area

If outside, stay outside If you are outdoors, move to an open area away from buildings, trees, streetlights, power lines, exploding windows or falling objects. Drop, cover and hold on while covering your head and neck until the shaking stops.

If inside, drop, cover and hold on

If you are in a sturdy building and cannot find a table or desk, go to the corners of the room or underneath a strong beam. If you are in an old brick house, take cover in the doorway. However, keep in mind that doorways are not safe in concrete homes or buildings.

If you are inside, go outside carefully only if you have an easy exit and clear

Cover your head

path to an open area. If you cannot get outside in less than 5 seconds, drop,

Protect your head and neck by holding a pillow or your arms above

cover and hold as soon as the shaking begins.

your head. The most common cause of death and injury during an earthquake is from objects that fall around or upon you.

1

Don’t run

Drop

Running greatly increases your risk of falling, tripping and being injured.

Drop to the ground

Stay away from danger zones

2

Stay away from glass, windows, exterior doors and walls, and anything else that could shatter or fall on you, such as shelves or

Take cover

furniture. Staircases are especially dangerous and may be broken or damaged. Do not try to use

Take cover under a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a table, desk or bed.

one during an earthquake but wait until the shaking stops and then move very carefully.

3

Hold on Hold on until the shaking has ended.

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15

Recover Administrators

Find your friends

• Use a roster sheet to check that all monks, nuns, staff and visitors are

Check that your roommates, friends or “buddy group” members are all

present.

present.

• Check for and extinguish small fires if possible.

• Check for building damage and assess potential threats to safety.

• If you are renovating or rebuilding, consider making your buildings earthquake resistant.

Apply first aid Check yourself and then others for any injuries and provide first aid to those who are injured.

Move to a safe area After the shaking stops, evacuate the building carefully. Move to your designated safe area in the open. Stay away from falling debris, electrical wires or weak and damaged structures.

Listen to the radio Listen to the radio for emergency information and safety instructions.

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Notes Beware of aftershocks Stay alert and prepare for aftershocks. Do not re-enter any buildings until it is determined to be safe.

Check for gas leaks Check if you can smell gas in any building. If you notice the smell of gas, open the windows and wait until the smell is completely gone before turning on any electrical lights or devices or lighting a match.

Shut off power If there is damage to electrical wiring, shut off power at the main breaker switch or fuse box.

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19

The Golden Fish signify fearlessness and happiness as they swim freely through the oceans of samsara without drowning.

Prepare Fire Safety

Administrators • Create and practice your fire escape plan. Plan at least two escape

Fire is the visible part of a combustion or chemical reaction caused by the combination of heat, fuel and oxygen. A fire cannot start or continue to burn without these three things.

routes so that there is an alternate route if one is blocked by smoke or fire. Practice evacuation drills in the dark or with your eyes closed.

• Wherever possible, create two exits from each building. Label secondary exits in all public areas to clearly mark multiple ways of

There are two kinds of fires that are common in the Himalayas: wildfires in forests, fields or large areas of land, and fires that start inside buildings and

leaving a building during a fire.

• Check that your fire extinguishers are not expired and place them

houses. A wildfire is usually caused by human carelessness when people

in high risk areas like kitchens, shrine halls and in central locations.

accidentally start a fire or start one deliberately and are unable to control its

Organize trainings so that everyone knows how to use the fire

growth. They can burn for days and even weeks and wipe out entire forests

extinguisher.

and all life in them.

• Make sure gas cylinder valves are turned off when not being used and

This section focuses on fires that start inside buildings and are of great concern to monasteries and nunneries.They can begin small but grow and spread quickly before anyone notices. Fires are often started by broken electrical equipment, old wiring, forgotten candles or in the kitchen.

before going to bed. Regularly check electrical wiring and immediately fix or replace broken and old wiring.

Be cautious Do not keep clothes, curtains, paper or other flammable items close to a room heater, stove or open flame. Do not leave burning incense and butter lamps unattended.

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23

Avoid overloading

Know your fire extinguishers

Never overload outlets and

Know where the closest fire extinguisher is and how to use it. Your fire

extension cords. Switch off electrical

extinguisher should be labeled ‘ABC’ or ‘multipurpose.’ An ‘ABC’ fire

devices and pull out plugs when not

extinguisher can be used on these types of fires:

in use. Do not place cords and wires under rugs or over nails.

• A: ordinary solids like wood, paper, trash, cloth, rubber and plastic • B: flammable liquids and gases like petrol, kerosene and LPG • C: electrical fires like those from electrical outlets, appliances or generators Note: Not all ‘ABC’ fire extinguishers can be used on cooking oils and fats.

Check that the label on your fire extinguisher specifically mentions cooking fires from oil and fat.

Report hazardous conditions Look out for old wiring or broken electrical fittings. Report any dangerous conditions to the administration.

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Keep alternative fire suppressants If you don’t have an extinguisher, keep alternatives such as sand or baking soda in buckets that are easy to grab and throw onto fires.

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Respond

2

Fight small fires Use fire extinguishers to extinguish small fires. Use a fire extinguisher or an alternative such as sand, baking soda or 100% wool blankets.

Aim & squeeze Aim the hose and squeeze the handle firmly.

Never put water on electric fires Never use water to extinguish fires involving electrical equipment such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets.

3

How to use a fire extinguisher:

Sweep the hose back and forth Stand 2 meters away from the flames and sweep the hose slowly from side to side along the bottom of the flame. Keep an escape route behind you at all times in case you need to evacuate.

1

Pull the pin Pull the pin out of the fire extinguisher.

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If your clothes catch on fire: Crawl to evacuate

1

Crawl low under the smoke and cover your mouth as you evacuate using primary or alternative exits. The air is cleaner near the floor so put

Stop

your head as low as possible to avoid choking on smoke.

Stop immediately.

2 Drop Drop down onto to the ground and cover your face with your hands.

3

Roll back and forth Roll back and forth until the fire is out. Check for injuries and burns and get medical help if needed.

Keep smoke out If you cannot get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep the smoke out. Immediately call for

Note: If you see someone else with burning clothes, wrap them in a thick blanket and roll them back and forth on the ground.

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help, ideally from fire services or professional rescuers.

29

Recover

Notes

Administrators • Organize temporary lodging if needed.

• Do not eat, drink or breathe in anything that has been near the flames, smoke, soot, or water used to put out the fire.

• Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items.

• Consult with a professional on ways you can reduce fire hazards as you rebuild.

Use first aid Check yourself and others for burns and apply first aid for simple injuries. In the case of severe burns, seek proper medical attention. See pg. 75 in the addendum for instructions on burn care.

Be safe and sure Stay away from the building until you are sure that it is safe to return. Check the outside of buildings before you enter for loose power lines, wall or floor cracks, missing support beams or other damage.

Prevent future fires Prevent future fires by clearing all of the dead leaves, branches a dry debris on the land or in the forest around you.

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The Precious Parasol symbolizes the beneficial activities of keeping beings from the harms of illness and destructive forces.

Prepare Flood Safety Administrators • Check if your monastery is in an area where it floods. If so, consider hiring

A flood is when a large amount of water suddenly submerges land. While some floods can take time to build and discharge, many floods occur quickly and particularly affect people who live in river basins. Fast moving water can lift and sweep away people, trees, cars, bridges and even houses.

a professional to improve the safety of your buildings.

• If you are in a flood-prone area, identify materials that can be used to stop floodwater from entering the monastery compound. You may need to keep sandbags or build embankments to redirect the flow of water.

• Reduce the force and flow of floodwaters by planting trees and plants in surrounding areas to absorb and slow down the water.

Flooding can be unpredictable and dangerous. In the Himalayas, rising

• Identify safe places such as high shelves where important articles like

temperatures and melting glaciers are increasing the risk of floods caused

manuscripts and texts, precious objects and other vulnerable items will

by glacial lake outbursts or cloud bursts. Floods in the mountainous regions

be protected from water damage.

often begin after heavy rainfall, cloud bursts, the breaking of a dam or the overflow of a natural or artificial lake. They are especially strong during the monsoon season. Flooding can cause severe damage to buildings and

• If there is possibility of flooding overnight, have at least one person stay awake to monitor conditions and raise an alarm if necessary.

infrastructure and contaminate local drinking water. Many floods in the

Check the weather

Himalayas are accompanied by dangerous landslides or mudslides.

If there is heavy rainfall or concerns about flooding in your area, make sure to keep track of weather conditions.

Stay informed Listen to the radio or television for information or check online for updates..

Turn off gas and electricity If there is any possibility of flash flooding, turn off gas and disconnect electrical devices.

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35

Respond Use simple household items to float If you are caught in a flood, simple household items like

Evacuate immediately

tied plastic containers or

Prepare to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Know your monastery’s

foam seat cushions can be

plan for emergency evacuation. If your building is in a flood path,

used to help you float and

evacuate immediately and move to higher ground.

prevent drowning.

While driving avoid areas with more than half a meter of water Floodwaters this deep can sweep a car away. If your car is stuck in rising floodwaters, climb out through the window and seek high ground.

Avoid crossing through moving water Crossing through moving water is dangerous and can cause you to lose your footing. Any moving water that is deeper than your ankles can trip you and pull you into the flood.

Shut off Shut off electrical devices and gas cylinders.

Seek out high ground If you are stuck in floodwaters, remain calm and seek out high ground or a flotation device. Panicking increases exhaustion and risk of drowning, particularly for people who cannot swim.

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Notes

Recover Administrators • When floodwaters have retreated, clean and sanitize the building with bleach solution. Floodwaters may bring dangerous pollutants, contaminants and bacteria.

• Turn off the electricity when checking electrical circuits and equipment or when checking flooded buildings or rooms.

• Make sure that the first group entering the monastery to assess safety is wearing rubber gloves and rubber-soled shoes to avoid electrocution.

Alerts and warnings Use local alerts and warning systems to get information.

Use caution when returning to buildings Stay away from damaged areas or buildings surrounded by floodwaters.

Do not return to a building until it has been checked and determined safe by local authorities. Use extreme caution when entering buildings as some damage may not be easy to see.

Drink clean water Boil or purify water with bleach before drinking in case floodwaters have contaminated the source.

See pg. 73 in the addendum for instructions.

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The Dharma Wheel symbolizes the auspicious turning of the precious wheel of Buddha’s doctrine, both in teachings and realizations, in all realms and at all times, enabling beings to experience the joy of wholesome deeds and liberation.

Prepare Landslide Safety

Study local history of landslides

A landslide is a movement of large quantities of earth, stones, debris or

Find out if any landslides have occurred in your area before, where they

rocks down a slope. They are most often triggered by severe rainstorms,

have occurred and how frequently. Landslides often repeat in areas

earthquakes or human construction of some kind.

where there has already been one or more. Avoid building in these areas,

Landslides present a common and deadly risk in the Himalayas. Landslides can be fast with little or no warning or slow and travel over several kilometers.

especially near steep slopes and natural water drainage areas.

They almost always occur on unstable hillsides without deep-rooted plants

Monitor landslide causing activities

to hold the soil together. When lots of water from rain or melted snow and ice

Monitor any activities in your area that increase

mixes with the soil, landslides can become “mudflows� or large rivers of mud.

the risk of landslides. Deforestation, heavy

Avalanches are landslides of snow and ice that occur in high mountainous

machinery usage, blasting of hills, mining and

regions. They occur on steep slopes generally after heavy snowfall or warmer

construction of roads that change the slope of a

temperatures. Landslides, mudflows and avalanches can grow quickly and

hill all can increase the vulnerability of a hillside

carry downhill everything in their path.

to landslides.

Take precaution against avalanches If you are in an avalanche prone area, travel with a companion and move one at a time through areas that have a high risk for avalanches. Always carry your cell phone and an extra power bank. If you are regularly in an area with a high risk of avalanches, seek out specialized training.

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Respond Administrators • Develop and practice an evacuation plan for the event of a landslide.

• Determine which areas around you have the highest risk for landslide.

For example, steep and deforestated hills have a high risk for landslides.

• Observe the patterns of water runoff and drainage in your area. Places with large amounts of runoff and drainage will likely become pathways for a landslide.

• If your local area has a history of landslides, consult a professional on protective measures like building retaining walls.

Stay alert If your area has a high risk for landslides, stay alert during and after heavy rainstorms and earthquakes. Watch local hillsides for erosion. Listen for falling debris, such as cracking trees or tumbling rocks. Select someone to keep track of conditions during the night if a landslide seems likely to occur. Many landslide related deaths occur during the night when people are sleeping.

Evacuate quickly Evacuate as soon as you suspect a landslide could hit your building or

Secure hillsides

home. Save yourself, not your belongings. Landslides can move quickly so

Stabliize surrounding hillsides by planting trees and plants with deep roots.

bring your evacuation bag if you have one but do not waste time gathering your things. This can slow you down and place you in greater risk for injury or becoming trapped.

Move to upper stories If you are caught in a building and cannot evacuate safely, move to upper stories to stay out of the flow of debris. If you are in a car, be extremely careful and watch roads and hillsides for collapsed pavement and fallen debris.

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Recover

Notes

Administrators • Check your buildings for damage and your surrounding area for soil erosion.

Make sure especially that all of your buildings’ foundations are secure.

• If your buildings have been damaged, consult with a professional on structural changes to increase the safety of your building.

Stay away Stay away from the landslide and any other high risk area. Do not enter a building if it is in the path of a landslide. Check for any areas with fallen power lines, gas leaks and fires and stay away from these places until they are declared safe by an expert or authority.

Plant trees Plant trees and plants in the landslide area as quickly as possible to avoid further erosion.

Check surroundings Check the surrounding area for injured or stranded people but do not approach the landslide unless professionally trained.

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The Victory Banner represents the victory of the Buddha’s teachings over death, ignorance, disharmony and all the negativities of this world.

It symbolizes the victory of Buddhist doctrine over all harmful and pernicious forces.

Prepare Storm Safety

Administrators • Designate areas in which people can take shelter during a serious storm

A storm is a disturbance in the natural environment caused by severe weather that brings strong winds, thunder, lightning, rain, hail, snow and/or dust.

In the Himalayas, storms consist of severe winds and heavy rainfall. In southern parts of India and closer to the coast, strong storms take the form of cyclones. During a strong storm or a cyclone, gusts of wind can cause trees and buildings to fall or break. Loose items can become dangerous when they are picked up and whipped around by the wind. Rain from these storms can cause extreme flooding and landslides.

Fortunately, the weather conditions that produce storms and cyclones are predictable. Weather forecasters can usually tell in advance how strong a storm is, where it is going and when it will arrive, giving people in the storm’s path time to prepare.

and have a professional assess the safety of these areas.

• Regularly check the stability and waterproofing of building roofs.

• Before a storm, park vehicles in a secure structure and with a full tank of gas, the hand brake on and in gear.

Stay alert and updated Follow the news for weather updates. Make sure that all monks, nuns and laypeople know about the coming storm and are appropriately prepared.

Take out loose and dangerous items Keep your surroundings free of loose clutter like fallen branches, broken furniture or flower pots. Trim trees that hang over buildings and weak branches that may crack in a storm.

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Secure heavy materials

Tie, tape and nail

Secure heavy furniture that may fall over during the storm. Check that there

If a storm is approaching, bring loose items inside or tie down anything that

are no heavy items such as suitcases or statues that could fall over and

cannot be kept inside to secure structures. If strong winds are expected,

hurt someone. Wherever possible, move furniture away from doors and

close shutters, board, nail or tape up windows, draw curtains and lock all

windows.

doors.

Bring animals inside Bring pets and monastery animals inside with you.

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Respond Stay updated and take shelter

Evacuate Consider evacuating if recommended by local authorities

Stay updated on the storm with battery powered radios or your cell phones.

and particularly if your area is prone to flooding or landslides

Take shelter indoors in designated safe areas and stay away from windows.

caused by flooding.

Seek shelter if driving

Unplug

If you are driving, seek a sheltered area away from power lines or trees.

Unplug all electronics and turn off gas, electricity and water. During thunderstorms, stay away from items that conduct electricity, such as landline telephones, appliances, outlets, radiators and metal pipes.

Stay inside your car with the handbrake on and in gear.

Take cover inside

If you are inside and you hear windows breaking or plaster and cement falling, take cover under mattresses or strong tables and benches.

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Notes

Recover Administrators • Send a safety team to check for and stop gas leaks and fires before re-entering the building.

• Check for damage to buildings and building roofs, outdoor furniture such as benches or pots and trees and plants.

• Remove any broken furniture and tree branches. Cut down any severely damaged trees.

• Repair roofing as quickly as possible.

Wait for official notice Wait for official notice that the storm is over and the area is safe before going outside. Winds may calm down during the “eye” of a storm but become violent again if the storm has not fully passed.

Check appliances Disconnect and check all appliances for water damage before using them.

Beware flooding Beware of flooding that may begin during or following the storm. Keep away from rivers, lakes or coasts. Stay away from damaged buildings, power lines, trees or bridges.

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The Lotus Flower symbolizes the complete purification of the defilements of the body, speech and mind and the full blossoming of wholesome deeds in blissful liberation.

Healing the Heart and Mind A message from His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa

To begin, I would like to say that emotional disturbances are natural and inevitable. Only enlightened and highly realized practitioners can escape feeling fear and confusion in the face of devastation.

Our terror emerges from the realization that we do not have control over our lives and our future. This fear gives rise to anger because we feel cheated out of the

Disasters threaten both our physical health and our mental and

sense of security we previously took for granted. Feeling betrayed, we can lose

emotional well-being. When people come to us for help in a disaster,

faith in the devotion and practice that we thought would protect us. Sometimes,

we cannot only focus on the body and ignore the heart and mind. In

guilt arises because we are relieved to be alive while knowing that others died or

fact, emotional and mental trauma is much harder to observe and to treat than physical injury.

suffered great losses. Let me reassure you that all of these reactions are normal under such circumstances. This is the nature of samsara.

However, the time it takes for you to recover tranquility of mind is up to you.

Many people have spoken to me about their trauma from recent disasters such as the flood in Ladakh and the earthquakes in Nepal and Sikkim.

They described experiencing emotions of shock and disbelief, of fear and helplessness. Some of them spoke of losing their faith. Some described feeling shame for continuing to struggle months or years later. For this reason, I decided to dedicate a section of these guidelines to the topic of inner resilience.

For monastics and seasoned practitioners, meditation on impermanence and emptiness is crucial. You will need the compassion and equanimity from your practice to help others in their time of need. One of the main tenets of Buddhism is that the basic nature of mind is pure and limitless like the sky. The panic and fear that take over are temporary, like rain clouds that

This chapter combines psychology as taught and practiced in the west with mind-

come and go on the face of the

training methods found in the Buddhist tradition. For some people, application

sky. Just as clouds block our view

of western psychology such as therapy may be the right strategy whereas for

of the sky and may momentarily

others, Buddhist meditative practices such as Shinay that focus on tranquility

convince us that the sky is dark and

and calm abiding may be a better coping mechanism. For others yet, they might

gray in nature, dark and disturbing

want to combine elements from both traditions. Please be mindful and discerning

thoughts will attempt the same but

as you read through this section and apply these techniques carefully.

eventually dissolve.

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One of the tenets of Buddhism is that the basic nature of mind is pure and limitless like the sky. The panic and fear that take over are temporary, like rain clouds that come and go on the face of the sky.

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Being able to continue your Shinay and Lhaktong meditation practices and training

For anyone who is struggling with guilt, I ask that you try out a different

will give you the inner resilience you need. Of course, it is one thing to meditate

perspective. Your escape from death has given you an opportunity. You now have

on impermanence and another to experience it under alarming conditions.

a new born chance to dedicate the rest of your life to benefiting all living beings

However, you can recover your emotional equilibrium by restarting your daily

and alleviating their suffering. You can dedicate the merit of your commitment in

meditation practice as soon as it is feasible.

the name of your loved ones.

For lay people who do not have a strong meditation practice, it is critical that you keep your faith in the Buddha, the dharma, and your lamas. Hold your mind steady by reciting protection prayers and mantras as much as you can. Visualize peaceful and protective deities such as Chenrezig [Avalokiteshvara] and Dolma [Tara] who embody qualities of limitless compassion and wisdom.

I also encourage you to begin meditation as a means to manage your trauma.

I urge you to find solace in your dharma practice and to be good dharma friends to each other.

Times of suffering should provide the motivation for us to renew our Bodhisattva vows.

Scientific evidence shows that meditation lowers and normalizes blood pressure and stress hormones in the body. It increases the production of serotonin, the chemical that naturally gives rise to happiness, and improves our immune system. It changes our brain wave patterns and helps us stay calm. Meditation will help with what you’re experiencing in those physical ways.

There are many meditation techniques that can work to ease trauma. It is important to remember that practices which work for some people may not work as well for others. Apply meditation techniques in very short periods of time at first to assess how well they suit you. There are a variety of techniques that you can use, including breathing exercises, tonglen [taking in suffering, breathing out compassion and healing], guru yoga or deity yoga. However, it is very important that you learn these techniques from an experienced master. You should have personally received the initiation from them and you should follow their instructions carefully.

The following advice has been gathered from experts who have worked on this issue for many years. I hope these steps prepare you mentally and emotionally for the aftermath of disasters. At the same time, I urge you to find solace in your dharma practice and to be good dharma friends to each other. Times of suffering should provide the motivation for us to renew our Bodhisattva vows.

They offer us the valuable reminder that that our human life is precious and not to be wasted.

Written by His Holiness the 17th Karmapa Bodhgaya, February, 2017

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Restoring Inner Resilience

How do you heal trauma?

In most cases, unsettling thoughts and feelings of traumatic stress will fade as life returns to normal after the event. You can hasten the process and restore

Resilience is the capacity to quickly bounce back from situations of trauma,

your inner resilience by carrying out the following activities:

obstacles or tragedy. Inner resilience refers to the ability of a person to respond to an adverse situation by developing positive coping strategies including realistically planning to solve problems, building interpersonal relationships,

Acknowledge your feelings and meditate on them

maintaining self-confidence and thinking optimistically about the future. Inner

Despite your daily practice, you may experience all kinds of difficult emotions

resilience allows a person to cultivate a positive attitude and manage strong

including panic, anger and guilt. Accepting them and giving yourself time to

emotions and impulses.

mourn without judgment or guilt is necessary for healing. At the same time, do not be overwhelmed by your thoughts during meditation. Observe and let go.

What is trauma?

Trauma refers to severe emotional pain and injury as a response to a distressing experience, which overwhelms a person’s ability to adapt to and cope with the event. People experience trauma in the form of chronic fear, anxiety and depression and can suffer serious long term health effects if these symptoms continue over a long period of time. Many people who suffer from trauma hesitate to ask for help or to express their struggle to others. In such cases, people suppress their emotions and continue as if normal. However, this is not good for them and should be addressed in a gentle way.

Make stress reduction a priority using meditation techniques You can apply mindful breathing exercises to quickly calm yourself. For example, take 60 breaths, focus your attention on the incoming and outgoing breath and return to the breath when your mind wanders.

Spend time with people whom you love and who make you feel safe The simple act of talking face to face with someone you know can relieve traumatic

Immediate reactions to disasters include:

Other normal reactions include:

•Trembling

•Feelings of fear, anger, sadness,

•Rapid breathing

numbness and survivor’s guilt

•Lump in the throat

•Panic due to triggered memories

If you struggle to speak out loud, write down your worries and concerns. It is

•Stomach ache or tightening

•Inability to focus or concentrate

important to identify the feelings we are experiencing before we can resolve

•Feeling dizzy or faint

•Inability to plan for the future

them. Counsel children to draw, paint or write to express their emotions if they

•Cold sweat

•Recurring memories or nightmares

are not willing to talk about how they feel.

•Pounding heart

•Physical and mental fatigue

•Racing thoughts

•Changes in appetite 64

stress. If you have gained your own equanimity, encourage your loved ones and community members to express their sorrow and work towards solutions.

Express your emotions

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Be healthy Try to eat regularly and to exercise. When a disaster occurs, it is easy to believe that life does not matter and to give up on self-care. However, you must prioritize your health if you wish to help others. Even a 20-minute daily walk will benefit you.

Return to or establish a routine It is very important, especially for children, to have a daily routine. A disaster makes us feel like we have no control over our lives and keeping to a familiar routine gradually assures us that life can go on. It is therefore important to conduct activities like eating or holding prayers and classes at the same time as before and at the same time every day.

When to get professional help Feelings of anxiety, numbness, confusion, guilt, and despair following a disaster or traumatic event will usually start to fade within a few weeks. However, you may need help if your experience of traumatic stress is so intense and persistent that it gets in the way of your ability to function. After a traumatic event, some people also experience a condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Warning signs that you may be experiencing severe trauma or PTSD include: •Not feeling any better after more than six weeks

Limit your exposure to media

•Feeling numb, without the same range of feelings as normal

Our instinct is to check media coverage because it gives us a sense of control.

•Experiencing depression, losing interest in the future

However, repeated seeing images of the event trigger traumatic stress and can

•Constantly fearing that you are in danger

extend emotional damage. If necessary, reading a newspaper or listening to the

•Having trouble with daily functions and carrying out responsibilities

radio is better than watching TV or videos.

•Avoiding situations that remind you of the traumatic event •Experiencing terrifying nightmares or flashbacks of the event

Seek out safe spaces and community activities If there are none in your area, offer space for people to come together and hold events such as yoga, tai chi or communal meditation sessions. Encourage people to share their experiences and find common ground.

•Experiencing suicidal thoughts or self-harmful feelings •Having a hard time connecting and relating with others •Showing excessive rage and anger and lashing out at friends and concerned people •Drinking or using drugs to cope with your feelings •Others around you suggest that you need help

Keep children occupied If you are responsible for young children, remember to keep them active so that their attention is not fixed on the traumatic past. Encourage children to read, draw, watch a movie, study or meditate.

If you are experiencing problems that might be PTSD, you should seek professional help with a medical doctor or therapist. PTSD is a genuine illness that is clinically diagnosed and should be taken seriously. Do not make fun of

Plan for the future Make sure that you are better prepared for future disasters. Encourage those

people who show or tell you of their symptoms.

around you to do the same. Learn from what did or didn’t work and apply those lessons to your own plan of action so you can be confident about the future.

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If people come to you with these symptoms, you should: • Express empathy and listen carefully. It is crucial to take PTSD seriously and to assure people that you sympathize with them.

• Keep your focus on those currently suffering. Avoid talking about yourself or of happy times in the past or future. Allow them to express themselves or cry without being interrupted.

• Do not tell them that they are lucky or that things could be worse.

This does not help traumatized people. Most importantly, reassure them

Self-care for emergency responders Some of you have acted or will act as first responders, arriving first on the scene or early during an emergency. While you have played a crucial role in a time of need, you must also stay aware of the burnout and traumatic stress that accompanies disaster response. Burnout occurs when your mind and body are overworked and you begin feeling overwhelmed and extremely exhausted.

Coping techniques like taking breaks, eating healthy foods, and exercising are important. Team leaders should keep an eye on the well-being of their team members.

that they are safe with you.

• Do not share what people tell you without their permission, unless

All emergency responders should:

they express a direct intent to harm themselves. Contact a mental health

• Limit working hours to no longer than 8-hour shifts.

professional immediately if someone expresses an intention of self-

• Take breaks throughout the shift.

harm.

• Work in teams and limit amount of time working alone.

• Do not answer questions outside of your expertise. Refer people to appropriate experts or ask your administrative office for support.

• Make sure you are wearing protective clothing and footwear and have appropriate equipment, including helmets and gloves.

• Talk to family, friends, supervisors, and teammates about your feelings and experiences.

• Remember that it is okay to draw boundaries and say “no” if you do not wish to do this work.

Your escape from death has given you an

opportunity. You now have a new born chance to dedicate the rest of your life to benefiting all living beings and alleviating their suffering.

• Practice self-care. Remember that working all of the time does not mean you

will give the best help to the most number of people and your exhaustion may ever endanger someone.

• Make sure other responders in your team also practice self-care.

Ultimately, we ask you to remember that achieving inner resilience will not only benefit you but all those around you, including your family and loved ones, the people you work with and the community you belong to and serve. Therefore, please make it a goal to begin building your inner resilience and strengthening your heart and mind today.

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Conclusion Throughout the Himalayas and around the world, natural disasters are only becoming more frequent and intense. By applying skillful methods for preparedness, response and recovery, we can reduce the devastating consequences and sustain ourselves through these difficult periods.

Ignoring the possibility of disasters does nothing to stop them. On the other hand, we can tangibly protect ourselves and our neighboring communities by embracing disaster management. In order for this shift to occur, we must have the courage to step forward and lead the process of training, planning, and preparing within our insitutions, homes and communities.

As part of Khoryug, many Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries in the Himalayas have been steadily working on environmental protection initiatives.

Some are well educated in the importance of self-sufficiency and climate preparedness and several have received training in disaster management.

The Treasure Vase symbolizes an endless rain of long life, wealth and prosperity. It is also known as the “vase of inexhaustible treasures� and is a sign of the inexhaustible riches available in the Buddhist teachings.

As institutions, monasteries and nunneries are uniquely set up to meet the basic needs of a large number of people and to be a focal point for organizing disaster relief. This provides a unique opportunity for our monastic institutions to act as models and education centers for disaster management.

With the guidelines in this book, we can take immediate and significant action that will reduce our risk during a disaster. Although human changes to the environment are now resulting in consequences beyond our control, we should all take the initiative to prepare for the future. Our disaster management strategy is a foundation for strengthening our community, a catalyst for ensuring the safety of our homes and a point of practice for wisdom and compassion for all sentient beings.

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Addendum

Notes

Purify your drinking water: Always boil your drinking water if possible. If you cannot boil your water, use liquid unscented bleach for purification: • Add 2 drops of bleach per liter of water.

• Stir bleach into water.

• Wait for 30 minutes.

• If the water does not have a slight bleach odor, repeat the dosage and let stand another 15 minutes.

• The water is now safe to consume.

Notes

• Store four liters of safe drinking water per person per day. The most cost efficient solution to keep this much water is to keep common liquid bleach in your emergency kits which can kill bacteria that cause water-borne diseases.

• Use regular liquid bleach that contains 8.25 % sodium hypochlorite. Do not use bleaches that contain scents, colors or added chemicals.

• Store bleach in a secure area so that it is safe from children and unauthorized people. Liquid bleach is poisonous and can burn skin when it is not extremely diluted in water.

• An alternative to bleach is common household iodine, also called “tincture of iodine.” Add five drops of 2% tincture of iodine per 1 liter of water. If the water is cloudy or colored, add 10 drops of iodine. Stir and let the water sit for 30 minutes before drinking.

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Basic First Aid Make sure that the scene is safe before approaching the person.

Look around the area before approaching. Check for large cracks in buildings, fires, gas leaks or anything else that could become dangerous or injure you.

If the person is injured and/or cannot walk, call for help immediately. Make sure that you are wearing appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves and a mask if you will be giving first aid and a helmet if you are in a disaster zone.

If the person can speak and move: 1. Introduce yourself and describe your training and ask if you can help. Explain what you think is their injury and how you want to help them.

2. Check for any life-threatening injuries, including bleeding or a spinal injury.1 3. Ask the person to describe any pain or symptoms2 they feel and if they have any allergies3, are taking any medication and have any serious medical conditions or problems. Ask them what and when they last ate and what events led up to their injury. Write down their answers if possible to give to a doctor or professional rescuer.

4. Check the person’s whole body for injuries and treat wherever possible.

If the person is unresponsive: 1. Shout to get their attention or shake them gently. If there is no response, check for breathing and circulation.

2. Call for professional help immediately.

3. Listen and watch closely for breathing. Tilt the person’s head gently back to make sure their airway is open and check that it is not blocked by an object.

4. Check the person’s pulse by feeling the top right or left side of their neck.

5. Conduct a head-to-toe examination. Stop any bleeding and bandage wounds.

6. If there is no sign of spinal injury, move the person into “recovery position”4 on their side.

Bleeding If the person is bleeding from an open cut or wound: 1. Place a clean bandage5 over the bleeding area, push firmly against the wound and raise the wound so that it is higher than the person’s heart.

2. Dress6 the wound by wrapping another piece of cloth around the bandage to hold pressure on the bleeding wound.

Burns There are three categories to describe how serious a burn is and what medical care is needed.

Superficial: Skin is pink, pain is mild and goes away after 1- 2 hours.

1. Place the burn under cold water for 10 minutes.

1. A spinal injury is when a person’s spine, the main bone in their back, is damaged.

People with spinal injuries must be moved very carefully because if the spine is broken or further damaged, the person may become paralyzed or even die. A person may have a spinal injury if they have fallen from a tall height or something has fallen on their back.

People with spinal injuries generally cannot move their head, neck, fingers or toes and describe feeling a lot of pain in their back.

Partial thickness: Skin is bright pink or red, a blister forms, and the area continues to hurt after 1-2 hours.

1. Place the burn under cold water for 20-30 minutes.

2. Protect the blister with a loosely bound bandage and dressing.

3. Raise the burned area above the heart.

4. Recovery position means the person is lying on their side.

2. Symptoms are physical or mental sensations that occur due to an injury or sickness.

Some examples of symptoms include pain, numbness, being unable to move, having a temperature and feeling confused, dizzy or nauseous.

3. It is especially important to find out if the person is allergic to any medicines, drugs or types of food.

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5. A bandage is the piece of gauze or cloth that goes directly on the bleeding area. If you do not have a surgical bandage, you can use a piece of clean cloth. If the cloth is thin, fold it several times so that it is 1 - 2 centimeters thick.

6. A dressing is the piece of cloth that you wrap around the bandage to hold it in place.

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1. Bring the person to a hospital or doctor immediately.

Making a Plan

2. Place a cool damp cloth over the wound. Bandage the burn loosely.

Follow this checklist to create a disaster management plan for your

3. Raise the burned area and check for shock.

monastery or nunnery. Remember that a disaster management plan is

Full Thickness: Skin is brown or black and person is in extreme pain.

Shock

not a one-time action but a series of preparations that must be regularly

Shock is a condition that occurs when a person’s blood does not flow properly

checked and updated.

through the body and different parts of the body begin shutting down. Severe shock can kill a person if it is untreated. Shock can be caused by heart attacks, dehydration, very bad infections, burns or losing over 1 liter of blood.

Signs of shock: • Person is pale in the face and their skin is cold and damp.

Name of Khoryug Coordinator: Date:

Prepare

• It is difficult to find the person’s pulse on their wrist and / or their heart

Hire a professional to assess disaster safety of monastery buildings

rate is very fast.

Conduct safety renovations where necessary or recommended.

• Person is taking rapid and shallow breaths.

Collect enough emergency supplies for three days for everyone in your

• Person is confused or begins falling unconscious, moves slowly and

monastery or nunnery:

cannot squeeze your hands firmly.

Food

• When you pinch the person’s fingernail, it takes more than 2 seconds for

Water, for drinking and cleaning

the color to return.

If you think a person is in shock:

Clothing and blankets

1. Lie the person on their back and elevate legs about 25 centimeters.

First aid supplies (see following list)

2. Call for help immediately or bring the person to a hospital.

Tents or shelter

3. Check for and stop any bleeding.

Update and replace old and expired supplies every six months.

4. Keep the person warm, comfortable and calm.

Last date supplies were replaced:

Snake bite:

Install ABC fire extinguishers throughout the monastery, especially near the

1. Try to identify the snake or kill it if possible.7 2. Wash the bite area with soap and water.

kitchen and shrine hall. Check that fire extinguishers are not expired.

3. Raise the bite above heart level.

Number of fire extinguishers:

4. Restrict movement of the person and transport to hospital.

5. Do not try to suction out the venom, cut the wound, apply a tourniquet to stop blood flow or exercise vigorously.

7. This is important because many snakes have different types of poison in their venom.

The doctor must know what kind of snake caused the bite in order to know which antidote (medicine) to use to counteract the venom’s poison. If possible, bring the dead snake with you to the hospital.

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Location and expiration date of fire extinguishers: 1.

2.

3.

4.

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Respond

Search and Rescue

Make a copy of this template for each disaster: Response plan for (disaster name):

buildings for trapped and injured people who have not been able to escape. When safe, remove people from buildings.

Names:

What is the chain of command?

Duties: Check quickly whether anyone is missing and where they might be. Check

Who is responsible for overall coordination and communications?

Medical and First Aid Determine safest action in the case of this disaster

What should monks / nuns do during this disaster?

Duties: Check each person for injuries and apply first aid where needed. Call for doctor or transportation to hospital if needed.

Names:

Determine safest evacuation routes from each room and building

How should monks / nuns get outside quickly and safely?

Emergency Supplies Duties: Organize emergency supplies like food and drinking water. Oversee distribution of supplies. Make sure response team wears protective clothing.

Names:

Select outdoor meeting points

Where should monks / nuns meet outside?

Emergency Shelter Create a system to checking for missing people

How will you check that every monk / nun is safe?

Duties: Set up emergency shelter if needed. Establish a sanitation system, including toilets, handwashing stations and waste management.

Names:

Recover Create the following recovery teams:

Transportation

Fire and Utilities

Duties: Organize transportation needs. This includes getting injured victims to the

Duties: Turn off electricity and gas. Safely check buildings for fires. Put out fires if safe.

nearest hospital or gathering emergency supplies when the monastery runs out.

Names:

Names:

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Emergency Supplies Battery or solar-powered radio

Non-perishable dry food items like

Cash

nuts, oats, or tsampa. (Food that does

Extra warm clothing and blankets or

not need to be cooked is best.)

bedding.

Notebook

Important documents

Paper towels

Important records

Sanitary supplies

Insurance paperwork

Soap

Photocopies of everyone’s ID card

Tissues / Toilet paper

Roster of all monks and nuns

Torch / Flashlight

Necessary prescription medications,

Trash bags

like blood pressure or diabetes

Water purification supplies

medication The following items should be in your first aid kit: 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

Petroleum jelly or other lubricant

4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)

Scissors

Antiseptic

Sterile adhesive bandages in assorted

Assorted sizes of safety pins

sizes

Cleansing agent/soap

Surgical masks

Latex gloves (2 pairs)

Thermometer

Needle

Tweezers

Non-prescription drugs such as:

Various roller bandages

- Pain relievers,

Wet wipes

- Anti-diarrhea medicines - Anti-acid, - Syrup of Ipecac (used to induce vomiting with the professional supervision).

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Additional Resources The following organizations all offer a wide range of guidelines on the disasters

National Institute of Disaster Management, Government of India nidm.gov.in/PDF/IEC/leaflet-dos-final.pdf National Disaster Management Authority, Government of India

Adaptation: The process that allows a living organism or biological system to adjust to changes in environmental conditions.

highlighted in this book:

Glossary Aftershocks: Earthquakes and tremors that occur after a major earthquake.

They are weaker than the original earthquake but can occur frequently and cause further damage.

Air pollution: Air that is contaminated by dirty gases, smoke, dust and particles.

ndma.gov.in/en/ndma-guidelines.html Department of Disaster Management, Government of Bhutan

Bleach: A chemical used for cleaning and disinfecting, usually made with chlorine.

ddm.gov.bt/downloads International Federation of the Red Cross www.ifrc.org/en/what-we-do/disaster-management/ Ready.gov, Department of Homeland Security, United States of America

Circuit breaker: A series of electrical switches designed to interrupt the electricity flow if there is an overload or short circuit.

Climate change: Changes in temperature and weather patterns over time

www.ready.gov/ Disaster Management Information System, Sristi

due to the release of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The gases accumulate in the atmosphere and

www.sristi.org/dmis/dmep

act like a blanket, trapping heat. This results in a wide range of climate For simple and thorough explanations of the science behind these disasters: eSchool Today: www.eschooltoday.com/

shifts, including warming of the planet’s average temperature which leads to impacts such as melting of glaciers.

Cloud bursts: A sudden weather event that causes large amounts of rain to fall in a short period of time and often causes flooding.

For disaster-specific guidance: Earthquake Safety: National Disaster Management Authority, Govt. of India www.ndmindia.nic.in/EQ_G_H_Dwellers_Bilingual.pdf Fire Safety: National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home Flood Safety: National Geographic www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/flood-safetytips/ Landslide Safety: National Society for Earthquake Preparedness - Nepal www.nset.org.np/nset2012/images/publicationfile/Landslide_Eng.pdf Storm Safety: American Red Cross www.redcross.org/get-help/prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/ thunderstorm#About

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Conservation (to conserve): To preserve, protect and restore the environment, ecosystems, and wildlife that exist naturally in that area.

Contamination: The state of becoming dirty or impure because a pollutant or poison has been introduced.

Debris: Loose material like rocks, tree branches or pieces of cement that have broken into pieces.

Deforestation: Cutting down trees in a forest or jungle, resulting in the degradation and destruction of that forest.

Disaster: A disruption causing losses that exceed a community’s ability to manage with its own resources.

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Disaster management: The process through which risk and vulnerability are

Fossil fuels: Fuel that was formed millions of years ago from decayed organisms.

decreased so as to prevent a disaster from happening and minimize the

Oil, coal, and natural gas like LPG are all examples of fossil fuels. Unlike

losses when one occurs.

energy such as solar electricity or wind power, fossil fuels are finite and can

Drainage: The path by which water flows away from an area.

only be used once.

Drill: A simulation in which participants practice their response to a certain crisis.

Glacier: A large, slow moving river of densely packed ice and snow.

Ecology: The study of interrelationships between living creatures and the environment.

Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF): A flood caused by the overflow of a glacial lake, a lake formed by melting glacial water

Ecosystem: A community of plants, animals and insects along with their habitat that act together as one unit.

Electrical wiring: The network of cables connecting all electrical outlets, appliances and fixtures (light bulbs) to the main electrical source.

Electrical appliance / device / equipment: A device that requires electricity to work.

Global warming: One consequence of climate change through which the temperature of planet Earth is rising. Rising temperatures are associated with more extreme weather, melting glaciers and increasing frequency and strength of many natural disasters.

Greenhouse effect: The process by which gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap the sun’s heat and warm the Earth’s temperature.

Emergency / first responder: A person who arrives first on the scene of an emergency or disaster to help victims.

Emissions: Gasses that are released into the atmosphere from both natural

Hazard: A situation that has the potential to become a disaster or dangerous to life and property.

processes and human sources like exhaust from vehicles and factories.

Emotional health: The ability to effectively manage feelings and emotions in order to function normally in daily life.

Environment: Everything that sustains life on Earth, including trees, rivers,

Interdependence: The concept that everything in nature is connected to each other, and cannot survive without the help of surrounding plants, animals and non-living elements like the sun, soil, water and air.

plants, animals, land, water and the air.

Erosion: The process through which material like soil or rock becomes loose or worn away.

Man-made disaster: A disaster that is directly caused by human action, such as a fire started by humans.

Evacuation: The process of leaving a dangerous area for a safer location.

Mental health: The state of psychological well-being in which a person is able use their cognitive and emotional capacities.

Fault line: In plate tectonics, the separation or space between two tectonic plates.

Mitigation: Eliminating or reducing the negative consequences of an event before it happens by reducing risks beforehand.

Fire extinguisher: A device that ejects water, powder, foam, gas or other substances to put out a fire.

Monsoon: A seasonal weather event that brings heavy rain between May and September in most of Asia.

First aid: Basic medical care given to an injured person to aid them Natural disaster: A disaster caused by nonhuman forces such as weather

until professional help is available.

Flammable: Easy to set on fire.

events and earthquakes.

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Natural resources: Materials that come from the earth like oil, minerals like iron and copper, and fresh water and trees.

References American Counseling Association

Pollutant: Anything that makes part of the environment dirty or impure.

www.counseling.org/knowledge-center/trauma-disaster

Pollution: The introduction of harmful and poisonous materials into

American Psychological Association

the environment.

Professional assessment: A review or search by an expert to locate risks and hazards.

http://www.apa.org/helpcenter/road-resilience.aspx CDC. Center for Disease Control. “Emergency Preparedness and Response” emergency.cdc.gov/preparedness/kit/disasters/ Central Board of Secondary Education, Government of India. Natural Hazards and Disaster Management.

Renovation: The act of making repairs or changes to a building.

cbse.nic.in/natural%20hazards%20&%20disaster%20management.pdf

Resilience: The ability to recover or return to normal after a disturbance.

FEMA. US Federal Emergency Management Agency, “Community-based Pre-

Risk: The degree to which a hazard is dangerous based on the vulnerability or

Disaster Mitigation for Communities and Faith-based Organizations”

weaknesses of the area or situation.

River basin: The area of land from which water drains into a river.

Roster (for a monastery): A list of all monks, nuns and lay people who live or work at the monastery.

Runoff: The draining of water and other materials from land, including soil, debris, trash and chemicals, into the nearest waterway.

www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1445-20490-8956/cbo_ studentguide.pdf Government of Bhutan, Department of Disaster Management ddm.gov.bt/downloads Government of India, National Institute for Disaster Management nidm.gov.in/PDF/modules/nssp.pdf International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. World Disasters Report 2016.

Sanitation: The condition of cleanliness necessary for public health, including proper sewage and waste disposal and clean drinking water.

Traumatic stress: The mental and emotional pressure and tension resulting from a traumatic experience.

www.ifrc.org/Global/Documents/Secretariat/201610/WDR%202016-FINAL_ web.pdf Los Angeles County Department Of Mental Health www.trauma-pages.com/h/dissteps.php Royal College of Psychiatrists: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/problemsdisorders/copingaftera traumaticevent.aspx

Victim: A person who has become injured during a disaster.

Seattle Times. “How to Prepare for Disaster”

Vulnerability: Weaknesses in a system that can turn dangerous situations or

seattletimes.nwsource.com/ABPub/2011/03/13/2014485937.pdf Tibetan Language Institute:

hazards into disasters.

www.tibetanlanguage.org/PDF/Eight_Auspicious_Symbols.pdf

Waste management: The proper disposal of trash and other waste so as to minimize environmental pollution and health hazards.

Weather forecast: A scientific process through which future weather conditions can be estimated.

The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction http://www.unisdr.org/ United States Center for Disease Control (CDC) www.emergency.cdc.gov/coping/index.asp United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services (SAMSHA) www.samhsa.gov/disaster-preparedness

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