ICOMOS activities in Nepal – Update of 22 May

ICCROM and ICOMOS release their situation overview report on damage to cultural heritage following the recent Gorkha earthquake in Nepal
and ongoing efforts for response and recovery. Based on the information gathered through the joint crowd mapping initiative undertaken by ICCROM and ICOMOS, through its International Scientific Committee on Risk Preparedness (ICORP), it aims at providing a snapshot of the extent of damage and to assist the agencies on the ground in identifying priorities for intervention.

As a next step ICOMOS, ICCROM, ICOM and the Smithsonian Institution are organizing a joint mission to Kathmandu from 25 to 30 May 2015.

The main objectives of the mission are:

• meet with UNESCO Kathmandu and the Department of Archaeology and define the role of the international collaboration (ICCROM-ICOMOS-ICOM and Smithsonian Institution); 
• obtain an overview of the situation of the cultural heritage and current efforts at damage assessment, salvage and stabilization (selected sites in and outside of Kathmandu);
• identify actors and components for a mid-term strategic plan for first aid and recovery which should be implemented in coordination with humanitarian relief and recovery work ;
• in the short-term, lay the ground work for a pilot field training to be launched latest by the second week of June (training site, partners and audiences, required training team, equipment and logistics, financial needs and arrangements);
• hold a half-day Consultation and Awareness raising meeting on site to share the objectives of the field training project;
• establish contacts to ensure the cultural sector's participation in the Post disaster Needs Assessment process, which is going to be launched on 25 May 2015

ICOMOS members are not only involved in heritage rescue – but also in humanitarian relief. Read the report of the Nepal Earthquake Search and Rescue team lead by ICORP Member, Umut Dinçşahin (GEA Arama Kurtarma GEA Search and Rescue - www.gea.org.tr) 

Image: still standing structures around Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kathmandu, © Kai Weise