Earthquake survivor Ramchandra Chepang and his family of Lothar-9 in Chitwan district have been left in the lurch as Ramchandra has failed to get the quake ID card because he does not have citizenship certificate.

Ramchandra’s seven family members have been living in the house that was destroyed by the earthquake. They have used tents to cover themselves from rain and sun.

“I am unable to collect government relief because I don’t have the quake ID card,” said Ramchandra.

Ramchandra’s is a poor family with no proper means of livelihood. “We do not have money to buy food, how can we build a new house?” wondered Ramchandra, dreading the monsoon rains that would soon arrive.

There are several quake survivors like Ramchandra who won’t be able to get the quake ID cards. They are only hoping that the government will help them somehow before the monsoon.

Another victim Resham Chepang of Shyamrang in Lothar-7 said he too has been living with four family members in a goat pen for the past 10 months.  Majority of quake victims are living in flimsy makeshift shelters in the VDC.  Nar Bahadur Chepang said his family has been living in the quake-damaged house which they have covered with some old galvanized zinc sheets. “My house was destroyed by the quake, but I have not got quake ID card,” said Nar Bahadur.

Meanwhile, Balaram Luitel, information officer of the District Development Committee, said a team of engineers will soon guide the quake-hit villagers to choose the suitable quake resistant house models. “The team will visit the quake-hit VDCs in April,” said Luitel.  

Around 3,000 families were hit by the quake.