Two months after disaster: Victims demand safe shelters

KATHMANDU: Two months have passed since the floods and landslides, but the victims in Kavrepalanchowk district are still demanding the provision of safe shelters and housing.

As winter approaches, the affected communities are urging local governments to arrange for secure living spaces.

On Monday, the residents of Bethanchowk Rural Municipality-3, who were impacted by the floods and landslides, submitted a memorandum to the municipality, demanding proper housing.

The five-point memorandum calls for compensation for the families of the two victims who lost their lives in the disaster and requests permanent landslide control measures after a technical study by a geologist.

The memorandum also asks for assistance in restoring farmland that was buried by landslides and requesting the municipality’s help in bringing the land back to its original state for agriculture.

The victims have also urged for immediate measures for winter housing and permanent rehabilitation. The floods and landslides that occurred two months ago caused significant loss of life and property in the district.

More than a dozen people lost their lives, and hundreds of families were displaced, with many still waiting for relief.

While the families of those who died have received government-provided compensation, thousands of victims are still waiting for relief. A total of 79 people were reported dead in the floods, with six still missing.

Despite the two months that have passed since the disaster, local authorities have not finalized a detailed assessment of the damage.

As a result, the government has not been able to provide immediate relief funds.

The District Disaster Management Committee had instructed local authorities to submit the final damage report by the end of Kartik, but this has not been done yet. Until this report is submitted, government relief for immediate and rehabilitation purposes cannot be disbursed.

Once local authorities submit the damage report, the government will begin relief and rehabilitation programs. With winter setting in, the delay in the damage assessment is further burdening the victims.

In line with the Disaster Relief and Rehabilitation Guidelines (7th Amendment) of 2020, the committee has already decided to provide cash assistance of Rs 15,000 for families with up to five members and Rs 20,000 for those with more than five members.

The committee has also set aside Rs 50,000 for temporary housing construction. The local authorities have been repeatedly urged to submit the required reports.

Additionally, the government has already allocated initial funds for the severely affected areas, with a total of Rs 92.5 million provided to 11 local units in the district, excluding the municipalities of Banepa and Dhulikhel.

The families of the deceased have received compensation of Rs 200,000 per person from the central government.

Meanwhile, in Namobuddha Municipality, 845 flood-affected families received relief aid from UNICEF. The organization provided a total of Rs 15.04 million, which was distributed based on the ward system.

Families with up to five members received Rs 15,000, and those with more than five members received Rs 20,000. However, these families will not be eligible for the short-term relief from the government.

The floods caused significant damage to homes, schools, drinking water facilities, and agricultural lands in the region. Namobuddha Municipality reported that 530 homes were completely destroyed, while 315 homes were partially damaged.

A total of 3,385 people were affected by the disaster, and several schools and water supply systems were severely impacted.

UNICEF has already provided relief to over 1,200 families in other municipalities such as Bethanchok and Mandandeupur, and is now focusing on areas with the most significant damage.

Although two months have passed since the disaster, official damage assessments are still incomplete, hindering further relief efforts.

The district’s administrative office has reported that 2,844 houses were completely destroyed and 6,046 houses were partially damaged. More than 3,000 houses require reconstruction, along with government buildings and other public infrastructure.