Disaster Reduction Council directs MoHA to continue search, rescue, restore essential services
KATHMANDU: The 19th meeting of Disaster Reduction Council today decided to continue search and rescue operations for people missing in the disaster. With this decision, it has directed the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) and all security bodies to engage in the work.
It has decided to make arrangements to take immediate steps to restore transport services and service delivery by clearing road obstructions, regularising transport and other impediments, and establishing coordination among the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport, provincial governments and local levels.
Similarly, the Council made a decision requiring the bodies concerned to make arrangements to restore drinking water, power supply and communications services at locations where they have been disrupted.
A policy has been determined so that relief would be distributed through local levels via an integrated system, preventing any duplication in relief distribution.
The Council has also decided to task the MoHA with providing relief to the families of the deceased and missing as per existing laws, and to instruct the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) to make necessary arrangements to ensure free treatment for injured people.
Likewise, a decision has been made requiring the Ministry of Water Supply to prepare to supply safe drinking water, and the MoHP to conduct public awareness and psycho-social support programmes and health camps in view of the possibility of disease spread in the aftermath of the disaster.
Arrangements would be made to initiate the temporary housing construction process by identifying beneficiaries in collaboration with local levels for citizens who have lost their homes, and to provide the first tranche of grants immediately in accordance with Standard 2081.
The meeting also directed the MoHP to pay special attention to health services, cleanliness and medicine supply, and urged the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to provide space at school premises for the construction of temporary shelters for recently disaster-affected people.
Extending gratitude to the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal, Nepal Police, Red Cross and other volunteer organisations for their contributions to rescue operations and relief distribution, the meeting asked the Mental Health Section under the MoHP to run psychological support programmes in coordination with local levels.
Similarly, the Council passed a proposal to study the construction of houses for long-term emergency preparedness and to strengthen coordination among ministries.
On the occasion, an extensive review was carried out of the damage, rescue efforts and rehabilitation following rainfall from October 3, which wreaked havoc across the country.
