KATHMANDU: Minister for Information and Communications Dr. Bikram Timilsina has said that the government is moving ahead in coordination and collaboration with various agencies for the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of citizens affected by the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa.
Speaking at a meeting with a delegation of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) at the ministry today, Minister Timilsina said the government had prioritized the rehabilitation and reconstruction of flood-affected people. He said relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes were being implemented based on the problems faced by flood victims and an assessment of their actual needs.
He said the government was coordinating and collaborating with all relevant agencies to rehabilitate flood-affected people. As the families displaced by the flood cannot be resettled in their original locations, discussions are underway with local authorities to develop new settlements in safer areas.
“There is no possibility of keeping the settlement at the existing location. Discussions are underway at the local level to determine where it would be appropriate to develop a new settlement,” Minister Timilsina said.
He said reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts would be more effective if various agencies worked in an integrated manner rather than separately. Minister Timilsina said the government was seeking to adopt such an approach, as faster results could be achieved if one agency takes the lead in reconstruction and mobilizes necessary support from other government and non-government agencies.
During the meeting with the NRNA delegation comprising Vice President Rojina Pradhan Rai, Women Vice President Radhika Gurung (Tika), General Secretary Dr. Chiranjibi Khadka, Chief Administrative Officer Rajendra Kumar Rawat and other office bearers and members, discussions were held on the government’s efforts for Bhotekoshi flood victims and the support NRNA could provide.
On the occasion, NRNA said it was ready to work in collaboration with the government on rehabilitation and reconstruction.
NRNA said it was currently carrying out the third phase of institutional relief distribution for Bhotekoshi flood victims. Discussions were also held on the need to conduct relief and rehabilitation programmes targeting women, children and other vulnerable groups displaced or placed at risk by the flood.
NRNA stressed that accurate and timely information is as important as relief materials during disasters and expressed its willingness to collaborate with the government on information sharing, coordination and partnerships related to relief distribution.
Similarly, NRNA said it wanted to provide additional support to disaster-affected areas in sectors including education and health.
The NRNA delegation also discussed with Minister Timilsina the possibility of institutionally bringing additional resources, means and capital into Nepal. Discussions were held on the progress of the NRNA Development Fund and the possibility of utilizing it for investment and development in Nepal.
Minister Timilsina expressed interest in the possibility of attracting additional investment from non-resident Nepalis and said the government was ready to provide necessary facilitation and cooperation.
The meeting also discussed amendments to legal provisions concerning non-resident Nepalis, non-resident Nepali citizenship, the use of information technology in Nepal and improving the effectiveness of digital services.
Discussions were also held on attracting investment to Nepal, utilizing the knowledge, skills and capital of non-resident Nepalis for national development, and expanding institutional cooperation.
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