On a regular press briefing on Tuesday, Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, spokesperson of the Home Ministry, stressed that distribution of used and tattered clothes would not be allowed as they may cause infections or transmit communicable diseases to the victims.
"People might be collecting used clothes for the victims with good intention. But we firmly ask everyone not to distribute used clothes considering its possible negative effects," said he.
He said that the government had placed the ban on the distribution of used clothes to the victims of natural disasters two years ago. "Still, people are collecting used clothes for the victims. So, we are compelled to issue an order once again not to donate used clothes," he said.
Officials at the ministry said that they found around 22 bags of used and tattered clothes in a truck that arrived from Indian to Kathmandu on Tuesday along with other relief materials.
"As we learnt about the clothes, we have directed the relief distributor to take away the clothes with them," said Dhakal, adding, "If anyone wishes to distribute clothes, they should distribute new ones."
Currently, many organizations in and outside the capital are involved in collection and distribution of used clothes to the victims in all the areas that were severely affected by the April 25 earthquake that has claimed more than 7,000 lives.
Similarly, the ministry also urged both national and international donors to coordinate with the District Disaster Relief Committee to distribute relief materials to the victims who are yet to get any relief.
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