Trauma of quake still haunts Nepalese in Bahrain

Manama : Nepalese community are still suffering from the loss of their loved ones and their wealth during the earthquake last year, according to a Nepalese social worker.

Him Lal Pandey, a social worker for the Nepalese community in Bahrain, said that the recent suicide cases of two Nepalese women highlights the need for mental health check up for the low-income Nepalese in Bahrain, who are still suffering owing to the aftermaths of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that wreaked havoc in Nepal last year.

Pandey lost his house, property and all his belongings in Nepal in the earthquake. 

Last year, he visited Nepal for rescue efforts and to offer relief for victims. He said that his compatriots in the Kingdom, especially the low-income workers need sessions to assess their mental health.  “It is not easy to cope with something like this, many have slipped into depression thinking about everything they have lost.”

Two Nepalese women reportedly committed suicide in separate incidents last week. The incidents occurred in Salmaniya and Aali. Both women were reported to be low-income workers.

According to Pandey, community members are unaware of the reasons behind the suicide. “I have inquired about it and nobody seems to know the reason behind the suicide. I do not know whether the women were in depression owing to their loss in the earthquake. Still, I think their cases should divert attention towards the situation of Nepalese labourers,” he added.