Khatri was, however, left utterly disappointed when he reached there to collect relief. "I could not reach the relief distribution site on time due to my disability. By the time I reached there, there was no relief material left," recalled Khatri, who is now taking shelter at Jawalakhel football ground.
His case is representative of the plight of hundreds of other disabled quake victims across the country. According to Sudarshan Subedi, president of National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal (NFDN), disabled people of Salyantar VDC of Dhading district, Dharmasthai of Kathmandu, and Taruka of Nuwakot, among many other places did not receive relief distributed by various donor agencies."Disabled people are not able to reach relief distribution sites not just because of their disability but also due to lack of information," said Bhoj Raj Shrestha, member secretary of Independent Living Center for PWDs (Persons with Disabilities).
Although people with disability have been the hardest hit, they have been largely ignored by the state, claimed Krishna Gautam, secretary general of the organization. "The government has given "first priority" to disabled, pregnant women and elderly citizens. However, they are the last ones to get relief," he said.
Organizations like NFDN and Living Center for PWDs said they have been coordinating with the government and various donor agencies to ensure disabled do not miss out on relief distribution.
At present, 55 disabled are taking shelter at Jawalakhel football ground with support from various donors.
"Initially we took shelter at Pulchowk Engineering Campus but the campus administration asked us to move to other place. Then the CDO of Lalitpur sent us to the football ground," said Shrestha. "Although our group of disabled people was small in the beginning, it is gradually growing," he added.
According to Independent Living Center for PWDs, 23 disabled were killed in the earthquake and some 330 rendered homeless. More than 10,000 people are feared to have been left with physical disabilities after the quake. "With so many people left with physical disabilities, we plan to establish rehabilitation center for the newly disabled and provide them counseling and vocational training after two months," said the secretary general, Gautam.
"It is crucial for them to return to their communities. But for now, our objective is to support the disabled and make sure relief materials reach them," added Gautam.
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