Mechanism ready for search, rescue efforts during disasters: Home Minister Shrestha

KATHMANDU: Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha today said that a mechanism has been created to effectively launch search and rescue efforts and relief distribution during disasters.

Attending today’s meeting of the Sustainable Development and Good Governance of the National Assembly, the minister said the government has adopted preparedness for rescue and relief efforts.

“A trained workforce for rescue efforts immediately has been on standby, and a command post has also been formed. Similarly, the national action plan has also been made,” he said.

Stating that Nepal is vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes, flooding and landslides, he has expected various response committees formed at various levels to make search and rescue operations and relief distribution effective.

Humanitarian assistance storage has been set up at various 11 places in the country to manage and distribute relief to the affected immediately, and 27 boats have been managed, he said.

He said that research and rescue materials, ambulances and firefighters have been already dispatched to the respective district administration office and the local levels.

“Baily bridges will be fixed at areas where transport system has been disrupted by floods and landslides. Air rescue will go on”.

According to him, post-disaster response such as rescue, evacuation, establishment of access, restoration, and reconstruction will take place in an organized channel.

Furthermore, the Committee has directed the government to ensure effective disaster preparedness.

“The Ministry has been instructed to assess the damages caused by recent floods and landslides in the eastern hilly districts and undertake effective relief, evacuation, resettlement, and reconstruction efforts accordingly,” Committee President Prakash Panth said.

The meeting was informed that monsoon-induced disasters killed 13 people in Bhojpur, Nuwakot, Sankhuwasabha, Taplejung, Panchthar, Tanahu and Gorakha since June 14.

Similarly 26 are missing, eight have been injured while 41 houses have been fully damaged and seven houses have been partially damaged.