Govt forms task force to assess disaster losses, ensure compensation

KATHMANDU: The government has decided to collect details of losses caused by the recent nationwide rain-induced natural disaster within the next 15 days by forming a special task force.

The decision aims to assess the losses and ensure timely compensation to the affected people. Floods and landslides triggered by incessant rains from September 27 to 28  resulted in 192 deaths, 30 missing persons, and 194 injuries, according to the Home Minister's latest updates.

A meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Executive Committee, chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, formed the task force comprising under secretaries from various ministries, including Home Affairs, Finance, Health and Population, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Agriculture and Livestock Development, Urban Development, Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and Communication and Information Technology, as well as experts from relevant areas.

The relevant ministries will promptly commence reconstruction works on government and public buildings, transport infrastructures including roadways and bridges, the drinking water sector, schools, and health institutions.

The meeting recommended that the Council of Ministers endorse the Disaster Sensitive Social Security Guidelines, 2081 BS. The Committee will seek the submission of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs in this regard and propose the Council of Ministers endorse it in accordance with Clause 39 of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act-2047 BS.

The Committee plans to identify potential beneficiaries and grant assistance (first instalment) for building temporary shelters within a week as per the Temporary Shelter Guideline-2081 BS.

The MoPIT is required to work instantly to restore disrupted roadways so that stranded passengers can reach their destinations.

Relevant bodies will undertake managerial duties through a fast track to resume transport and drinking water services, among others, amidst adversities caused by floods and landslides.

The process of distributing relief to those affected by natural disasters will start immediately from a one-door policy, and relief will be provided to the families of deceased persons as per the 'Disaster Rescue and Relief Standards, 2077' according to the decision of the Council of Ministers on 15 June.

The meeting thanked volunteers for post-disaster search, rescue, relief, and removal of boulders, mud, and other debris piled up by the floods. For restoration and reconstruction, the local level has established the Disaster Management Volunteer Bureau. National, provincial, district, and municipality volunteer bureaus have been instructed to actively mobilise volunteers as per the Mobilisation Procedure, 2078.

The Provincial Disaster Management Executive Committee and the Local Disaster Management Committee of the disaster-affected provinces have requested post-disaster search and rescue, relief, treatment, rehabilitation, reconstruction, and recovery activities as per the responsibilities prescribed by the Act.

The Communication Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, 2081 will be approved with amendments within one week after taking opinions from the committee members.

The process of amending the Emergency Warehouse Operation Procedure, 2081 will also be carried forward. After assessing the potential epidemic that might spread after the disaster, the MoHP will conduct programmes such as public awareness and health camps in potentially risky areas to prevent the spread of epidemic diseases.

Disaster-affected Private Housing Retrofitting, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Subsidy Procedure, 2081 will be amended and submitted to the Council of Ministers for necessary decisions.