MISLEADING ANNOUNCEMENT?
The Kathmandu Post
28
June 2015
MISLEADING ANNOUNCEMENT?
A few days ago, the government publicly
announced the completion of rescue and relief phase in the areas that were
devastated by the earthquake about two months ago. I thought that it was sincere
announcement and hoped that all the people in the affected areas received
relief materials. But, after I read Shradha Ghale’s article (“Misguided
priorities” 24 June, Page 6), I realized that I was completely wrong. What
a pity it was to find out that the democratically elected government was
completely sending a completely false massage to its people and the world.
It is sad to know that the people with no
connections to local politicians or government officials were the ones to
suffer the most. The Dalits, other indigenous groups and people from remote
areas were deprived of relief materials. Looking closely at these inequalities
during the post-quake response has further exposed the caste, class and gender
disparities in Nepali society which could, in the long run, have negative
impacts on the social and cultural bonds among the people who have lived harmoniously
for centuries.
It has also been frequently reported in the
media that in many places, people have yet to receive relief and roofing
materials. Then, why did the government announce that the relief phase is over?
In Rasuwa, people of several areas in Saranthali, Haku and Chilime VDCs, all of
which are many hours to walk away from the roads, are yet to receive both
relief and roofing materials. Now, the monsoon has begun. Time has come for the
government to be sincere and responsible to its people in severely affected
areas and think for their security and safety. Otherwise, there seems to be many
human casualties.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
