KATHMANDU: President Ram Chandra Paudel has said citizens affected by the Bhotekoshi River flood and other natural disasters who have lost their homes, loved ones, livelihoods or been displaced are facing deep hardship and need the support and reassurance of the state.
Addressing the nation after returning to Kathmandu from an on-site inspection of flood-affected areas in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, President Paudel urged the government and all concerned agencies to view the grievances and demands of disaster victims not as criticism but as important signals for resolving their problems.
Paudel said he was confident that the government was coordinating with local governments and all levels, agencies and structures of the state to make rescue, search, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts for flood victims more effective.
“The suffering of citizens who have lost their homes, loved ones and livelihoods and have been displaced is extremely deep. At this time, they need the support and reassurance of the state,” he said. “I want to assure everyone that I, too, stand with them in this difficult hour.”
Stressing that listening to disaster victims and being sensitive to their suffering is a fundamental duty of a democratic state, Paudel urged the government and concerned agencies to treat their grievances and demands as important guidance for finding solutions.
He assured families waiting for news of their loved ones that search and rescue operations would continue, saying the entire nation shared their pain during this period of uncertainty.
The President stressed the need to ensure food, clean drinking water, safe shelter, necessary medical treatment and access to psychosocial services for every rescued person. He also called for special attention to children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and others requiring special protection, while urging authorities to ensure that temporary shelters are safe and dignified.
He said accurate and reliable information should be provided to the families of Nepali and foreign nationals affected by the disaster, along with necessary facilitation and humanitarian assistance to help reunite them with their loved ones.
Paudel also stressed that the deceased must be treated with dignity, respect and compassion and that identification should be carried out with utmost care, sensitivity and responsibility.
“I trust that the government will pay particular attention to preserving DNA samples and other relevant records securely, as necessary, to make the identification process reliable and systematic,” he said.
Recalling the devastating flood on Bhadra 10, triggered by a landslide involving glacial ice and rocks, Paudel said the disaster had caused unimaginable suffering and extensive damage to human lives, homes, livelihoods and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
“The entire nation is mourning this terrible disaster. I pay heartfelt tribute to all citizens who lost their lives and extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” he said, while wishing for the speedy recovery of the injured and the early success of ongoing search and rescue efforts for those still missing.
The President expressed high appreciation for the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, health workers, local representatives, government employees, volunteers and all individuals and organizations involved in rescue and relief operations.
He noted that many rescuers had entered dangerous areas without regard for their own safety to save affected citizens. He said difficult terrain, damaged roads and unstable and hazardous conditions should not become reasons for halting the search and rescue of missing people.
Paudel also paid tribute to foreign nationals who lost their lives in the disaster, including those working in Nepal, tourists, trekkers in the mountainous region and people visiting the country on spiritual journeys. He extended condolences to their families and said Nepal would cooperate with the governments and diplomatic missions of the countries whose citizens had been affected.
He expressed gratitude to neighbouring friendly countries and the international community for providing search and rescue personnel, technical experts, medical teams and essential equipment during the crisis.
Recalling that Nepal has faced earthquakes, floods, landslides, pandemics and other disasters in the past, Paudel said Nepali people had consistently confronted such difficult circumstances with courage, patience, restraint and determination.
“I sincerely appeal to all political parties, elected representatives, civil society, organizations involved in humanitarian assistance and rescue, the private sector, the business community and all citizens to stand united during this difficult hour,” he said.
Stating that this was not a time for division, blame or political disputes and confrontation, Paudel called for national unity and solidarity.
“This is a time to demonstrate national unity and solidarity. It is also a time for reconstruction, rehabilitation and economic recovery,” he said. “As we move toward reconstruction, rehabilitation and economic recovery, I believe we should also reconsider our development model.”
Paudel said the disaster had highlighted the extraordinary vulnerability of Nepal’s Himalayan environment and served as a serious warning about rising global temperatures and the risks arising from them.
“I sincerely appeal to the international community not only to listen to the voices of Nepal and other ecologically vulnerable countries, but also to take concrete and effective measures to ensure climate justice for them,” he said.
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