Relocated villagers find comfort in familiar food and care after mudslide

For Tashi Norbu's 61-year-old father from Lapher village in Gyirong county, Xizang autonomous region, starting the day with tsampa — roasted barley flour mixed with yak butter and tea — does more than nourish the body. It soothes the heart and sets a peaceful tone for the day ahead.

So when Tashi Norbu and his family were relocated to Jephuk village following the mudslide that struck the Gyirong border port on Aug 26, they found comfort in the familiar food provided at their temporary shelter, as well as in the free accommodation.

"The streets here are narrower and the houses are closer together than at our home. But the altitude of Jephuk village is similar to that of our village, so we adapted to the new environment pretty quickly," he said.

About 160 villagers from Lapher and Sichung have been resettled in rural homestays in Jephuk village, a popular tourist destination with dozens of guesthouses and restaurants.

"My father felt carsick at first during the bumpy ride here, but he feels much better after seeing a doctor arranged by relief workers and volunteers," Tashi Norbu said. "The restaurant near our temporary home sometimes brings Tibetan noodle soup to our door in the morning as a gesture of kindness."

"Despite the disaster, we feel well taken care of," he said.

According to local authorities, 499 residents from five affected villages have been relocated to five temporary shelters converted from hotels and homestays following the devastating mudslide.

Jampal Dorje, a staff member at the shelter in Jephuk village, said many of the relocated residents are elderly and have been housed with their children to ensure they receive proper care.

"Most elderly residents are not used to rice and steamed buns included in the standard food supplies, so we have requested more tsampa, Tibetan fried noodles and dumplings from the supply reserves in recent days," he said.

Jampal Dorje said staff members now visit households every day to keep track of residents' needs, paying particular attention to their health, sleep quality and other basic daily necessities.

Several medical workers are stationed at the shelter to provide care, while designated vehicles are available to transport residents with more serious symptoms to hospitals, he said.

At a hotel-turned-shelter, Dawa, a doctor from Shigatse Tibetan Medicine Hospital, said she has brought Tibetan incense and offered counseling sessions to help residents struggling with emotional distress.

In more severe cases, relatives of people who remain missing have fainted and required oxygen therapy, she said.

Karsang Tenjen Tamang, a Nepali who operates a restaurant in Jephuk village, has also opened his establishment as a place for displaced villagers and relief workers to rest.

"The government provides free meals and housing for affected residents every day. They are being well looked after here," he said.

Contact the writers at wangxiaoyu@chinadaily.com.cn