One of the first phrases I learnt in Nepali was के गार्ने ke garne, ‘what to do’? This question is rhetorical, usually rounding out a story of some hardship. The bus didn’t show up in the village for two days, ke garne? Your husband has spent most of your children’s lives working overseas to pay for their schooling, ke garne? You village house is small and has no power, ke garne?

Although the English translation gives a sense of futility in the face of adversity, it does not quite have this function. Instead, it is about resilience in the face of adversity - you still got to town, your husband is doing the right thing for the family, your house is all you have. There is nothing you can do to prevent these events, but that’s not reason to let them stop you.

This week the nation of Nepal faces adversity on a scale that is utterly incomprehensible. There is immediate suffering, and long term challenges. I’ve been in touch with Kagate and Yolmo speakers, and many have escaped with their lives, but not much else. Entire villages of houses are damaged, and the monsoon season is fast approaching. While they may not face the immediate food and sanitation crisis of Kathmandu, this will interrupt the pre-monsoon planting season.

Reports of such destruction are coming in from all across Nepal. Photos from Helambu - where the people I work with originally came from - show massive destruction as well. If you want to help in the short term, support a large NGO who have people on the ground, experience and supply chains for goods and services. Nepal will also need people’s help and concern in the long term as well. It’s never easy when the media attention fades and life goes on. I’ve created a Twitter list of voices in Nepal if you’re interested in what’s really going on.

The next few weeks will be very rough, and redevelopment will be measured in months and years, but Nepali people have the tenacity to pull through, after all, ke garne?