Earthquake victims face tough times ahead

Dhading, April 1

With monsoon approaching, hundreds of earthquake victims, who have been living in over a dozen temporary camps in Alchhidanda and other places adjoining the district headquarters Dhadingbesi, face difficult times ahead.

A powerful storm four days ago damaged as many as 25 temporary huts in Alchhidanda alone. However, the families have been staying put in their damaged shelters. “Though Monday’s storm tore the tarpaulins of many families, they have been staying put as they have no other place to go,” said Birlal Tamang, of Alchhidanda camp. Tamang also bemoaned the government’s failure to resettle the quake victims.

Officials at the District Natural Disaster Rescue Committee, however, accused the victims of not cooperating with them. “We’ve tried to resettle them in their respective villages, but they are reluctant to return,” said a member of the committee. “They are getting support from various national and international organisations. Their reluctance to return to their villages might have to do with the fear that they would stop getting support if they go back,” he added.

Chief District Officer Bishworaj Subedi informed that the committee was doing the needful to resettle the victims.

Govt indifferent to their plight: Veep

KAVRE: Vice-president Nanda Kishor Pun has accused the government of being indifferent to the plight of earthquake victims. Speaking at a program in Dhulikhel on Friday, Pun urged the government to ensure basic facilities to the victims rendered homeless by the earthquake. “There is no option but to distribute relief to the quake victims as early as possible,” he demanded. Pun also expressed his dissatisfaction at the slow pace of reconstruction after such massive devastation caused by the earthquakes.