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The calamitous earthquake in Nepal lasted only 40 seconds, but according to the Associated Press, the south Asian country will take years to recover.
The 7.8 magnitude quake rattled Nepal to a point of economic annihilation. The impoverished nation heavily depends on tourism to shoulder its pecuniary affairs, but now, with Nepal in shambles, it’s unclear when travelers will return.
“Tourists are fleeing because of the continuing aftershocks, which have brought fear and terror,” Hari Man Lama, of Incentive Tours, a travel company in Kathmandu. “There’s fear of the spread of disease because of the dead bodies that are still unburied and the lack of water and supplies.”
As governments issue travel advisories for Nepal-bound tourists, travelers are cancelling their trips.
“This disaster is going to bring a big loss to the travel industry and to the tens of thousands of people who depend on the tourists for their livelihood,” Lama added.
Last year, 800,000 tourists visited Nepal, which features eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks including Mount Everest. The quake struck Nepal during its peak tourist season and destroyed almost half of the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Kathmandu, including Durbar Square with pagodas and temples dating from the 15th to 18th centuries, and triggered avalanches on Everest that killed 19.
According to the Asian Development Bank, tourism accounts for eight percent of the economy and seven percent of jobs.
Experts say that Nepal is now suffering with billions of dollars in damage. Asia-Pacific economist Rajiv Biswas says that the price tag on the quake’s destruction exceeds $5 million. Another report from the U.S. Geological Service speculates an expense of $1 billion to $10 billion. Others say that it’s just too early to make estimates.
The question is, how will the Himalayan country get back on its feet? For now, Nepal is relying on foreign aid. The government is ill-equipped to manage relief efforts. The Asian Development Bank has already donated $3 million for urgent relief; the organization promised another $200 million for the first stage of restoration. The United Nations requested $415 million for Nepal over the next three months.
Nepal, a developing nation, is ranked high in corruption with a 126th ranking out of 174 countries. Looking at other earthquake-rattled nations with poor infrastructure, it’s not looking good for Nepal in terms of recovery.
“Haiti is still floundering five years after an earthquake killed more than 300,000,” the AP said.
(h/t The Huffington Post)
