Humanitarian support
Humanitarian support
It was overwhelming to read the news
“Humanitarian airlifts to continue” (THT, 17 Nov. Page 2) pertaining to
continuation of airlifting of food and other humanitarian items to the
earthquake effected people in the hilly regions of Nepal with the gracious
financial support received from Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Many thanks to WHO for its initiations with these countries for acquiring
necessary funds required for the noble cause. Winter is almost close to the
doorsteps. If the humanitarian supports are not provided to the affected people
in these hilly areas on time, the chances of human casualties are very high.
The attention of new government led by PM
Oli has been drawn elsewhere. It’s been almost six months after the devastating
earthquake measuring 7.8 rector scale that shook the nation. Thousands of
effected people are spending nights in temporary shelters without even warm
clothes and proper foods. The government had already announced three months
back that the relief works and rescue operation were over leaving the people in
the affected areas in extremely vulnerable situation. Many people in the
affected remote areas have not even received money for buying zinc sheets from
the government authorities. What a pity?
The new government has now completed its
one month period in the office and faces a number of challenges ahead. Among
them is the rehabilitation process and reconstruction works to begin without
wasting any more time. Due to vestigial political interest of one of the
coalition partners in the previous government led by Sushil Koirala, the law
related to the function of high level reconstruction committee could not be
passed through the parliament. The donor organizations which had generously
committed funds for the reconstruction works have now started raising their
concern about its commencement. Time is running out fast for this ambitious
government to act.
Rai Biren Bangdel
Maharajgunj
