KATHMANDU, Sept 23: The government and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) have pledged to strengthen cooperation in providing relief, protection and rehabilitation to people affected by recent floods in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and surrounding areas.
Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities and Social Security Sita Badi held a meeting with IFRC Asia-Pacific Regional Director Alexander Matheou to discuss ways to make humanitarian assistance to flood-affected communities more effective.
The meeting focused particularly on ensuring the safety, protection and rights of women, children and other vulnerable groups affected by the floods.
IFRC General Secy Chapagain arrives in Nepal
Minister Badi thanked the IFRC for its humanitarian support to affected communities in coordination with the Nepal Red Cross Society. She stressed that, alongside immediate relief, the government should prioritize health, safety, psychosocial support and safe rehabilitation of affected people.
In coordination with the Nepal Red Cross Society, the IFRC has been providing humanitarian assistance in affected areas, including shelter, food, drinking water and sanitation, health and mobile health services, and psychosocial support.
The meeting also discussed making such assistance more organized and coordinated and ensuring that it reaches communities most in need.
Badi said disasters can have a disproportionately severe impact on women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. She called for rehabilitation and protection programs tailored to their specific needs.
She also stressed stronger coordination among the government, local governments, the Nepal Red Cross Society and international humanitarian partners.
The meeting concluded with a positive discussion on strengthening humanitarian assistance from immediate disaster response through rehabilitation, prioritizing groups requiring protection and continuing cooperation between the government and international humanitarian partners.
