KATHMANDU, Jan 3: Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that the effectiveness of government mechanisms during crises has increased in recent years as compared to the past.
In his address to a programme on disaster management in earthquake-affected areas and reconstruction organized in Lalitpur on Monday, Prime Minister Dahal said that the rescue and relief efforts after the November 3 Jajarkot earthquake were effective due to collaborative actions among the three tiers of the government.
Dahal stressed the need of centering efforts on earthquake preparedness, post-quake response, and on finding lasting solutions to its impacts.
According to Prime Minister Dahal, those whose houses were completely damaged in the disaster were provided Rs 50,000 each to build temporary shelter and an additional Rs 10 billion, including funds from the parliament constituency development fund, has been allocated to the Disaster Management Fund to address the adversities caused by the earthquake.
Prime Minister Dahal has called upon provinces, local levels, and local people's representatives to take proactive initiatives in addressing the challenges faced by the earthquake-affected communities. He urged local representatives to contribute to the establishment of effective local self-governance.
Whither disaster preparedness?
Prime Minister Dahal also stated that post-quake efforts should also prioritize the rebuilding of public heritages and the revival of economic and cultural identities of the affected people. He stressed the need for planned actions for reconstruction efforts and the need to recognize the socio-cultural life of the affected people, seeking their consensus and ownership during the reconstruction process.
PM Dahal drew the attention towards mobilizing local resources, skill development, and development of geographical and climate-friendly settlement in the reconstruction work.
Stating that although there are discussions on the rescue and preventive measures against disasters, he expressed his concern that there was lack of attention towards pre-risk assessment of the disasters and the early preparedness and corresponding structures.
"The series of earthquakes this time has prodded us for risk-resilient structures and continuous preparedness. My emphasis lies on well preparedness for reconstruction, preparing quake-resilient designs, making strong structures and arranging adequate budgets," the Head of the Government asserted.
According to him, Nepal was facing a challenge of how to make it resilient to disasters and climate change by learning lessons from the past experiences. He assured that the reconstruction works could be taken forward by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.
Calling for a thorough analysis of the effect of the quake, he pressed for the practical and effective policy basis to deal with disasters. He also underlined the retrofitting of the structures that not only were damaged by the quake but also those weak and at risk of being damaged by the quake.
He directed the Authority to intensify works relating to risk assessment, risk reduction, early preparedness and early warning system to develop capacity to deal with major disasters.
Directing to arrange adequate equipment and tools at all local levels for post disasters search and rescue operation, the PM viewed that the Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission should consider allocating additional budget for the risk reduction and preparedness.
According to him, a team led by the Chief Secretary has initiated a study about insuring the buildings including private residences at high risk of natural disasters and climate change.
Extending his gratitude to national servicemen, security personnel, local level, civil society, development partners and social organizations contributing towards rescue, relief distribution operation and to protect Nepal from the impact of disasters and climate change, the PM urged for coordination, cooperation and support in coming days as well.
Present in the programme were the Chief Minister of Karnali Province and people's representatives of Jajarkot and Rukum (Paschim) district.
