Floods triggered by incessant rainfall inundates paddy fields in Saptari.
Editorial in Kantipur, 16 August
Various organisations and individuals have voluntarily come forward to raise money and collect relief for the people affected by this week’s floods, which is a really commendable effort. They may have been motivated by altruism, but it is difficult to rule out the possibility of the misuse of relief money and materials. Yet, it cannot be an excuse for the government to restrict volunteers from distributing relief in the flood-affected areas.
It will take a long time to restore the lives and livelihood damaged by the floods. But their immediate need is relief. Despite joint efforts by the government, NGOs and individuals, relief has not reached all flood victims. In many places, people displaced by the floods are hungry. They need immediate support, and the government alone is not able to provide that.
Fearing that the relief will be misused or not distributed equally, the government has introduced a one-window policy, requiring all NGOs and individuals to distribute relief only through government channels. This may delay relief distribution, adding to the sufferings of the flood survivors. The government mechanism for relief and reconstruction is notorious for painfully slow responses and unnecessary procedural hassles. So, instead of channeling all the relief through one door, the government must facilitate NGOs and individuals to swiftly reach out to the flood-affected communities.
The official data shows that the floods have damaged at least 3,000 houses in the Tarai. Tall and sturdy houses were not damaged by the floods, but food grains stored in those houses are not edible any more. And the floods have also damaged water systems, forcing people to drink contaminated water. This could lead to a disease outbreak, and flood survivors have already begun to suffer from typhoid, diarrhea and skin diseases. The Health Ministry should be prepared to tackle this crisis. The government must work with NGOs and people to deal with this disaster instead of alienating them.
There were reports of misuse of money raised for the survivors of the April 2015 earthquake. The government must not allow this to happen again. But the government’s one-door policy for relief is not a solution.
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Now that Nepal finally has a democracy institutions are barely out of slavery and feudal times.
Blame caste system on the blanket mafia system economy. I do not see any interest in changing the caste system and going towards original equality. A lot of rethorics on gender and anti child marriage, but caste system will remain holy for 5 more generations.
When you still deeply believe that dalits deserve to perish in the mud and landslides that is the problem. For non nepalese it is impossible to understand why who takes bribes perpetually.
Tackle corruption and nepotism, get rid of advanatages for higher castes. Not in a state capitalist way as they did in Latin America, but in a democratic way. That calls for measures leading to inclusion, good education for all, no racial discrimination.
And in the same way the statues of the racists had to go in USA, things must go here.
Lack of faith in each other is understandable after what we all have observed. So people incline to christianity in Nepal and buddhism in India, but god is not going to do this one for you.
Is there a commission investigating and what is the result?