KATHMANDU, Jan 10: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has allocated over a billion rupees to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) for the rehabilitation and relief of flood-affected households. The money will be spent to distribute warm clothes and rebuild houses of the people who were rendered homeless due to the devastating floods. 

Tens of thousands of families who were displaced by the floods in August are still living in makeshift shelter. 

Acting NRA secretary Yamlal Bhusal said it has sanctioned a budget of Rs 1,040,650,000 to the home ministry to provide immediate relief to the flood victims. From the budget, a lump sum amount of Rs 15,000 will be distributed to each of the 41,626 families to repair their homes, while an additional Rs 10,000 each will be provided to buy warm clothes. 

The grant, though insufficient, is expected to bring some smiles to the flood victims who have been braving the cold. Over a dozen deaths have been reported due to cold wave after the start of the winter.  Six people died in Saptari and Rauthat districts, the districts of central tarai plain which suffered more during the floods.  

Suman Karna, who oversees flood reconstruction and rehabilitation unit under the NRA, said that the relief package will be distributed from Wednesday in view of the hardship faced by the flood affected families, especially in the districts of the tarai plain, due to harsh winter. 
According to NRA, a total of 41,626 houses in 41 districts were completely or partially destroyed during the floods which had cost more than 200 lives and properties worth billions.

He said that NRA is mulling to provide additional grant to rebuild the homes. 

In a statement, NRA said that it is consulting with various stakeholders and political parties to expedite the process to rehabilitate the flood victims.

 
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