KATHMANDU, April 27

Although the government has received relief materials from foreign countries, International Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, various organisations and people from different walks of life, the relief materials were not distributed properly even on the third day since the devastating earthquake.

Ill-preparedness for such a quake, lack of proper coordination among the government agencies and priority to those having access to power in distributing the relief materials are the causes behind this, according to government sources and quake-affected people.

Also the government does not have integrated information about how much assistance did it receive and what is the status of distribution of relief materials. “We have not prepared integrated information about the assistance collected so far and are working on it,” said Joint Secretary and Disaster Focal Person at Ministry of Home Affairs Rameshwor Dangal.

Although the government released Rs 500 million as an emergency fund for the rescue and relief packages as per the Saturday’s emergency Cabinet meeting decision, it has not been able to send the money due to banking woes. “We have allocated Rs 20 million to each of the 11 mostly affected districts.

However, we have not been able to send the money due to technical problems in the banking system. So, we have asked the chief district officers to buy relief materials on credit,” said a highly placed source at the MoHA.

According to Under Secretary at MoHA Baburam Bhandari, the government has mobilised eight cluster groups — health, wash and sanitation, camp management, shelter, education, nutrition, protection and communication for relief. UN agencies are co-leading the groups, according to him. However, status of their responses has not been collected so far.

According to Bhandari, the government has declared shelters on open space in 16 areas – Tundikhel, Kirtipur (Kalinchok Battalion of Nepali Army), Dasharath Stadium, Sano Gauchar, Shankhapark (Ring Toad), Halchok, Balambu, Sinamangal (Valley Battalion of NA), Jwalakhel, Khumaltar (Dakshinkali Battalion), St Xavier’s School, Pulchowk Engineering College, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Tinkune Sallaghari and Saraswati Secondary School Kamalbinayak. However, the government has not provided sufficient tents, drinking water and foods to the officially declared shelters.

Despite the 16 shelters, thousands of people are taking shelter at other open spaces for three days due to fear that their residences may collapse anytime due to continuous tremors. The government has not provided even tents to those shelter areas despite those who have access to political leaders and government authorities.

“Primarily we are distributing relief materials only to those whose houses have been fully or partially damaged and those who are in the 16 officially declared camps. We are now unable to provide tents to other shelters,” said MoHA Joint Secretary Dangal.

“I have been sheltering at the open ground of Bijay Memorial School, Dillibazar. Around 100 people including children and senior citizens are taking shelter there on the open field.

Although, the house I live is not damaged, I cannot live there as I fear the quake can collapse the house any time. So I am taking shelter here. However, we all are compelled to spend whole day and nights in the open field as no one has provided us tent. Since we also lack drinking water here, we are compelled to buy mineral water on our own,” said Bina Paudel, a girl of around 25, who is taking shelter with her relatives.