Irresponsible decision

The Himalayan Times

20 May 2015

Irresponsible decision

It has been almost three weeks after the killer earth-quake measuring 7.6 on the rector scale followed by two powerful aftershocks rocked the nation killing more than 8000 people and displacing more than 8 millions. Now, the rescue operations are almost completed albeit did not remain effective. Many lives could still be saved had the government have disaster management plan ready.

All the government, semi government organizations, I/NGOs efforts have now been diverted towards relief and rehabilitation activities. There seems to be still something missing in coordinating the relief activities. The government is still unable to meet the demands for tents and tarpaulin sheets of the affected people “Tents, tarps still in short supply three weeks on” (THT, 18 May, Page 1). Monsoon is approaching fast. If the government and the concerned agencies fail to provide temporary roofing materials to the needy people on time, there could be, for sure, more human casualties.

It is sad to see the government’s decision of providing NRs 15000/- cash to every effected household for buying corrugated zinc sheets “Govt to provide each victim Rs 15,000/ for temporary shelter” (THT, 17 May, Page 1). It should have purchased the sheets and arranged to provide to the affected people using its machinery. There are many affected places where road accessibility is almost nil. How can the people buy and fetch zinc sheets to their places? It seems simply that the government is unwilling to fulfil the responsibility of providing temporary roofing sheets to the affected households.

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj