Amidst the sadness with memories of the 100th centenary of the landing at Gallipoli, the disaster we couldn’t even imagine in Nepal and nearby Kathmandu, a friend sent me this link.
Courtesy of the Internet, a Lilac-Breasted Roller Bird.
Looking at those feathers, the tiny feet hanging on, clear eyes, and tail feathers for balance in the air and wind, I can find some joy in our world.
A team of USAR ( Urban Search and Rescue) personnel is leaving from New Zealand Sunday night for Nepal , flying to Singapore then on to Kathmandu. Supplies were gathered at the Auckland City Fire Station, before being loaded onto a commercial flight. The 37-strong team come from Auckland,Palmerston North and Canterbury.
Details below, and photos, courtesy of the Internet.
New Zealand is one 22 countries sending teams to help with urban search and rescue efforts.
Teams from India, Pakistan, the United States, China and Israel are already on the ground there. The 37 member team was drawn from New Zealand Fire Service members in Auckland, Palmerston North and Christchurch. The personnel going to Nepal have specific expertise in rubble pile rescue, and the technical rescue experts will be supported by paramedics, a doctor, a structural engineer, logistics personnel, a command and control element, and a Ministry of foreign affairs and trade liaison officer.
The team will be self-sufficient with 12 tonnes of equipment, including food, water, power and rescue equipment.
Cooper said USAR just last month received its international accreditation, allowing it to operate overseas.
Update today, Tuesday 28th April.........
The Urban Search and Rescue (Usar) team, which had been stood down overnight, could go in future but New Zealand would be guided by the Nepalese authorities.
The decision was made to stand the team down after the Nepalese "with the benefit of reflection ... decided they couldn't absorb more capacity right then".
The airport was seriously congested and four flights from India had been turned back because they couldn't get down.
"We completely understand the Nepalese Government's decision and based on our own experience of managing the Christchurch earthquakes, we know that dealing with international offers of assistance can be fast moving and needs can change rapidly."
I am glad that our small country can contribute in such a practical way to help those in Nepal, Kathmandu and other areas where help is needed so much.
Quotation of the day, author unknown
“ Compassion, courage and hope are in every heart, and even the disasters of huge proportions will not destroy these qualities”
Greetings from Jean
17 comments:
What a beautiful little bird. I just love all of those colors.
How wonderful that a team from your country can now serve other countries and is doing so.
Your quote was a good one.
Have a nice week dear Jean ~ FlowerLady
Such a pretty bird. I saw that on the news as well. It is good that such a small country as ours is able to send help like this.
Hope things are going well for you Jean.
Rain here today. It was our Parkinson's walk and we got thoroughly drenched. Still 14 of us turned out and had an enjoyable walk.
Hello Jean, the Lilac breasted Roller is a gorgeous bird.. What a lovely shot!
My thoughts and prayers go out to the people of Nepal and Kathmandu..It is great so many teams are going to help with the rescues..
Wishing you a happy day and week ahead!
a feathered picture of perfection. the tragedy in nepal is so difficult to imagine. bless all those providing assistance.
Gorgeous bird, Jean!!! :)
What a beauty of a bird! So glad our government is sending help to Nepal.
I weep for the 4000 or so lost.
Mr. Roger's mom said, Look for the helpers. Your country, and ours, and others are helping. It's all we can do.
Their infrastructure is so weak.
I hope support gets to them soon. :'(
The airport obviously has limited facilities, and planes from India have not been able to land. I am sure our USAR team will be ready if needed later on. Devastation, huge loss of lives, thoughts with them all there, and the many families throughout the world who have lost a loved one.
What a gorgeous bird. And such sadness at Nepal's total devastation. It just gives you pause. Carol
I can only imagine how chaotic it is in Nepal right now. I heard on the radio this morning that over a million have no food because of this tragedy. I'm glad your country is at the ready to send aid.
Another world tragedy in Nepal. It is heart warming that so many want to help. The bird is so beautiful. Amazing what there is in nature.
That is an incredibly colorful bird. I've never seen anything like it!
The Nepalese situation is heartbreaking and truly beyond comprehension.
What a darling little birdie!!! I can't imagine a disaster of that magnitude in Nepal, it just boggles the mind, where would you even start. I'm glad there are folks there that know what they're doing.
I think that's what happened to the Japanese team too. The last I'd heard they had been rerouted to India also. I have friends who are missionaries in Nepal but they were on home leave. As a doctor I'm sure the husband wants to get there to help as quickly as possible but there will be years hence when Nepal still needs help. He will get there in God's time.
Hello Jean. I couldn't agree more that it is wonderful that so many nations (including Canada) in the world automatically send aid/help to disaster zones like in Nepal right now. It is always encouraging to hear about this.
What a beautifully coloured little bird!!
Yikes, I didn't realize I had fallen behind, Jean, I found your tribute to ANZAC Day truly moving. When I was in London last year, I saw some wonderful memorials ~ poppies included ~ for the Australians and New Zealanders who died in the wars. I often did "In Flanders Fields" with my students. I learned the poem by heart as a first grader in Canada. It is such a simple, yet powerful, reminder of what it must be to give one's life.
Thanks for sharing the info about what New Zealand is going to help Nepal. So tragic; but we live in a geologically active world and we can't prevent these things from happening. It's always the poorer countries that suffer because they can't afford to build earthquake resistant housing or reinforce the buildings they have.
Thanks for sharing that lovely bit of rainbow fluff. Birds are incredible.
Have a good weekend!
I can't believe a bird like this exists. I can tell you though that I sure happy it does and that the world is painted with the most beautiful colours and combinations!
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