Miscellaneous
Govt ‘lacks seriousness in disaster mgmt’
Experts working in disaster management have expressed their concerns over the lack of seriousness from the government in addressing growing challenges in mitigating disaster risks.Experts working in disaster management have expressed their concerns over the lack of seriousness from the government in addressing growing challenges in mitigating disaster risks.
During a programme organised to sensitise the lawmakers on various geo-hazards and understand the need of proper disaster management policies and measures, experts from disaster management field urged the latter to realise the urgency to work in disaster risk reduction.
“The earthquake disaster in April was a wakeup call for the government to work on this sector. However, though the urgency was felt soon after the earthquake, no significant efforts were made to address the risks from natural disasters that hit the country time and again,” said Ranjan Kumar Dahal, associate professor with Central Department of Geology at Tribhuvan University.
Soon after the earthquake struck the country causing massive devastation of lives and properties this year, the government stated that it would bring the much-awaited Disaster Management Act that envisions setting up a National Disaster Management Authority responsible to overlook the disaster events before, during and after any disaster event.
The Act which was under consideration for approval for almost a decade also mentions about pre-disaster management including efforts on search and rescue along with adequate relief operations during the time of disaster event.
“Over five months have passed since the earthquake, but no significant progress has been made on endorsing the Act,” Dahal said. Likewise, the failure of the government to ratify a bill to legitimise the National Reconstruction Bill has further halted the works on rebuilding and rehabilitation. Hundreds of thousands of people are still awaiting for the government’s support to rebuild their damaged houses, he said.
The lawmakers were further provided with necessary brochures including information about existing legal framework, policies and activities to aware them about the status of disasters, its risks and need of preparedness to save lives and properties.