Govt budget insufficient for reconstruction & monsoon disaster preparedness: Officials

KATHMANDU: Government officials have raised serious concerns about the inadequacy of the budget allocated for reconstruction and disaster preparedness following the recent earthquake in western Nepal and the upcoming monsoon season.

For the upcoming fiscal year, the government has allocated only Rs 18.5 billion for preparedness, reconstruction, and resettlement efforts.

However, officials at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) have said this amount is far below what is required.

NDRRMA Spokesperson Ram Bahadur KC stated that the reconstruction of structures damaged by the Jajarkot earthquake alone, along with monsoon-related disaster management under a three-year plan for 2081/82–2083/84 BS, would require a minimum budget of Rs 100 billion.

He emphasized that the current allocation is grossly insufficient.

Due to limited resources, the authority has had to operate within tight financial constraints. In addition to the government’s annual budget, NDRRMA has been mobilizing various disaster management funds to address emergencies.

Currently, a total of Rs 4.65 billion is available across federal, provincial, and district-level disaster management funds.

Of this, the Central Disaster Management Fund holds Rs 1.27 billion. Although the fund fluctuates, a minimum balance of Rs 500 million is maintained by requesting additional funds from the Ministry of Finance as needed.

Based on demand, the authority allocates funds to district-level disaster management units during emergencies. In times of disaster, the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and the Provincial Disaster Management Funds are also utilized.

As of now, the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund holds Rs 1.89 billion, and the Provincial Disaster Management Funds collectively have NPR 790 million.

Spokesperson KC also noted that the government does not allocate a separate budget in the annual fiscal plan for search, rescue, and relief operations.

Hence, these disaster funds are the primary financial resources for such activities, including the deployment of helicopters and heavy machinery during emergencies.

Officials have urged the government to reconsider the budget allocation and ensure sufficient resources are available to effectively respond to and mitigate the impacts of future disasters.