Home Minister Stresses Coordination Between All Three Levels of Government in Disaster Response
There should be no politics in matters of development or disaster management. Everyone must unite to bring relief to those in distress.
Yurika Rajbhandari
Kathmandu – Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak has emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between the federal, provincial, and local governments during disasters. After inspecting flood and landslide-affected areas in Bhumedanda, Panauti Municipality-12, and Bethanchok Rural Municipality-4 in Kavre on Monday morning, Minister Lekhak spoke at a meeting at the District Administration Office in Kavre.
He stated, "The recent floods and landslides caused by heavy rainfall have resulted in significant loss of lives and property. The importance of federalism and local governance is most evident in times of disaster. When all three levels of government work together, facing disasters becomes easier. It’s the responsibility of all three levels of government to respond in times of crisis, and they must move forward in coordination. There should be no politics in matters of development or disaster management. Everyone must unite to bring relief to those in distress. Rescue efforts are ongoing, and we are now moving to the phase of providing necessary relief."
In Kavre, the floods and landslides have claimed 78 lives, left 71 people injured, and 6 remain missing. Among the injured, 18 are currently receiving treatment, while others have been discharged from hospitals.
Minister Lekhak also shared that families of the deceased are being provided with NPR 200,000 in compensation, and the homeless are receiving NPR 25,000 as the first installment for temporary housing. The government has been releasing this aid within three days of the local authorities identifying beneficiaries.
He assured that the injured are receiving free medical treatment and that helicopter services are being used to deliver relief to municipalities cut off due to damaged roads. He also praised the efforts of the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force, stating, "They are doing commendable work in the affected areas, and the government is fully engaged in the response. This is what government action looks like."
