All-party mechanisms to coordinate flood response

Kathmandu / Sept 1: Political parties have agreed to establish all-party coordination mechanisms from provincial to local levels to strengthen rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts in flood- and landslide-affected areas.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) spokesperson Jagdish Kharel said Tuesday’s all-party meeting decided to form coordination mechanisms comprising all political parties in disaster-hit districts. He noted that informal coordination had already begun at the initiative of RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane.

Kharel said opposition parties offered important suggestions during the meeting, which the government pledged to incorporate. Search, rescue, and relief operations are being intensified, while parties emphasized the need for a strong political mechanism for reconstruction and long-term disaster management.

Kharel claimed the damage caused by the flood and landslides appeared greater than that of the earthquake, stressing the need for a unified political stance on disaster management. He added that the home and finance ministers represented the government at the meeting, and that relations between the RSP and government remained cordial, with regular communication between Lamichhane and other leaders.

He acknowledged shortcomings in disaster risk reduction and said the issue would be seriously reviewed in the coming days.