Nepal gov't allocates Rs 750 mln as emergency disaster response

The Nepalese government on Wednesday decided to allocate 750 million Nepalese rupees to address the current havoc created by flood, landslides and inundation of settlements across the country.

The meeting of the Home Ministry held at the National Emergency Operation Center on Wednesday decided to allocate the budget for immediate rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the victims.

The amount will be allocated from the Central Disaster Relief Committee of the Home Ministry to the affected district administrative offices. Earlier, the committee had asked the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund to extend financial support to resolve the ongoing crisis.

During the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Bhim Rawal said that the government will act immediately to rescue the victims from hard-hit areas, relocate the risky settlements and provide necessary relief materials.

The meeting directed security agencies to act in a planned way to execute the rescue and relief drive, urging them to consider the possible risks. The meeting demanded strong coordination between the Nepal Army, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force.

In addition, the meeting directed concerned agencies to arrange clean drinking water, necessary food items and primary health services to tackle the possible epidemic of water-borne diseases which are common during such disasters.

Issuing a statement on Tuesday about the latest update, the Home Ministry informed that 28 people had lost their lives since Monday in the disasters across the country. However, local media reported Wednesday that the death toll has risen to over 50.

Hundreds of houses have been waterlogged and many have been swept away in different parts of the country, especially in mid-western and eastern development region whereas thousands have been displaced. Endit