DPM Shrestha receives earthquake emergency assistance from China; NC to send general secretaries and UML to mobilize volunteers in quake affected areas

Gandaki / Nov 8: Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha today received earthquake relief materials dispatched by the Chinese government.

Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, handed the emergency dispatches from the northern neighbor to the Deputy Prime Minister amidst a program at the Pokhara Regional International Airport. The relief materials include blankets, tarpaulins and so on. Two aircraft from the Chengdu Airport in China landed at the Pokhara Airport with the assistance.

During the program, the Deputy Prime Minister said China has always been with Nepal during each crisis. The Nepal-China relations are based on sovereignty, independence and mutual benefits and interests, he said.

He recalled the significant support from China during the 2015 major earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic.

The ambassador said Nepal and China have friendly relations and they have each other’s support during the crisis, too. He expressed his sorrow over the November 3 earthquake with its epicenter in Jarjarkot.

It may be noted that Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message of condolence to President Ram Chanda Paudel for the strong earthquake in the Karnali Province, causing heavy casualties and property loss.

Kaski Chief District Officer Basudev Ghimire said they were preparing to send the relief materials to the affected areas.

NC general secretaries to visit quake-affected areas

Meanwhile, the ruling party Nepali Congress’ general secretaries Bishwa Prakash Sharma and Gagan Kumar Thapa are going on a site visit to the earthquake-affected areas on Wednesday.

According to the Nepali Congress, after the on-site study by the party’s general secretaries, it will draw the attention of the Prime Minister and chief minister of the province to find a solution.

Nepali Congress Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel said that General Secretaries Sharma and Thapa are going to visit the earthquake-affected areas on behalf of the ‘Central Monitoring and Management Facilitation Committee’ of the party. It is said that their visit will focus on ‘seven-point action’.

According to a statement issued by NC Chief Secretary Paudel, General Secretaries Sharma and Thapa will identify the reality of the weaknesses exposed through the media that the rescue work was very careful and commendable but did not reach many victims. It is also said that rescue and relief will be assisted in proper management, attention and facilitation without delay.

Likewise, it is said that a study will be conducted on whether there is coordination between the federal, provincial and local governments, political parties, and various other organizations, according to the ‘one-door system’. If not, it is said that more suggestions and facilitation will be given to follow/make one door.

In the same way, the general secretaries’ team will focus on whether there is no adverse effect from the external organizations and individuals who came to the rescue and relief. It is said that after inspection, the team of those who will make suggestions and facilitate the management of such situations will work immediately.

Necessary coordination in the identification and diagnosis of weaknesses in the current management, with special priority given to pregnant women, disabled citizens, children and the elderly is anticipated. The views of Nepali Congress for restoration and reconstruction have been submitted to the Prime Minister in written form. It is said that necessary consultation and study will be done on what problems may arise in its implementation, and what the suggestions of the stakeholders are.

CPN-UML to provide relief materials to earthquake victims

The CPN-UML is preparing to provide relief materials to the earthquake victims in Jajarkot and Rukum (West).

The social service center of the party is gearing up to send materials to Jajarkot and Rukum West for the relief of the victims upon the instruction of party chairman KP Sharma Oli, informed the head of the center and central member of CPN-UML Moti Lal Dugad.

The center will provide food items like rice, lentils, flour, biscuits, and salt to the earthquake victims. Similarly, the center will distribute blankets and tents to protect the victims during winter.

In the first phase, the party will be involved in day-to-day delivery. In the second phase, additional relief materials will be provided, said Dugar. CPN-UML has announced to distribute relief materials worth Rs 10 million.

The CPN-UML leaders and representatives have been cooperating with the government in the rescue and search operations in the earthquake-hit areas.

UML has expressed its condolences to those who died in the earthquake and wished for the speedy recovery of those who were injured. The party members have demanded the government to give compensation to the victims of the earthquake and to arrange temporary housing for those who lost their homes.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.4 occurred at 11:47 PM last Friday, with its epicenter in Ramidanda in Barekot Rural Municipality-1 of Jajarkot, killing at least 153 people.