Kathmandu: Nepal Development Watch, a voluntary organization that monitors the government system in Nepal, has requested the government of Nepal and the international community to take immediate and coordinated initiatives for the rescue, relief and long-term rehabilitation of the communities affected by the devastating sudden floods that occurred in northern Nepal last week on 26 August.
The organization issued a press statement on Wednesday, expressing deep concern over the loss of life, livelihoods, destruction of private and public property and widespread damage to roads and other infrastructure caused by the flood.
According to Nepal Development Watch, more than 1,000 people have died, while nearly 4,000 people are still missing and without contact. It is suspected that hundreds of people are also trapped inside the tunnel of the hydropower project under construction. Search, rescue and relief operations have become more challenging as bridges and roads have washed away due to floods and remote mountainous areas have been disconnected from urban centers.
The organization has expressed its gratitude to the efforts of Nepal government, provincial governments, Nepal Army, Nepal Police, local community and international community active in the rescue and relief work in this difficult situation of the disaster.
Nepal Development Watch has stated that the Government of Nepal should take the initiative to gather the necessary international financial and technical assistance for relief and rehabilitation in accordance with the provisions under the international agreement on economic, social and cultural rights.
Similarly, it has been requested to ensure meaningful participation and coordination of the local community, victim community, civil society and other stakeholders to make the rescue and relief work effective. Using the experience and learning gained from past disasters, especially earthquakes, the organization has drawn the attention of the government to prevent the recurrence of duplication, lack of coordination, disorganization and relief in remote areas.
In the statement, it is also requested to stop the trend of collecting and misusing funds in the name of relief, to control theft and other exploitation taking advantage of the insecurity caused by the disaster, and to make all parties involved in rescue and relief accountable.
The organization said that due to the large number of human and animal corpses remaining after the flood, the lack of clean and potable water, etc., special precautions should be taken against the risk of disease spread. In addition, considering the possibility that children at risk may be trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation, it is urged to take necessary safety measures immediately.
Urge to increase international cooperation
Nepal Development Watch has urged the international community to increase support in Nepal, keeping in mind the complications and potential health emergencies seen in rescue and relief operations.
The organization demands immediate increase in economic and technical support in the areas deemed necessary by the Nepalese government, especially neighboring India and China, the United States of America, European Union member states and the United Kingdom, which have historical and continuous relations with Nepal.
The international community has been requested to encourage its civil society and professional community to help the affected communities of Nepal.
Nepal Development Watch has drawn the international community’s attention to the effects of climate change. According to the organization, necessary financial resources should be provided for the affected countries, saying that vulnerable countries such as Nepal, which contributes insignificantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, are suffering unimaginably devastating consequences due to the climate emergency.
Be aware of misleading information and AI images
The organization has stated that the role of media and civil society is important during disasters, and misleading information spread through social media is creating more confusion in the search for missing relatives and the identity of the deceased.
The organization has requested the media and social network users to respect the dignity of the deceased and affected persons, not to transmit false information that portrays the victim as guilty or criminal, and not to transmit fake AI images and content that are made for entertainment or that create pain and confusion.
Similarly, Nepal Development Watch has urged civil society organizations and political organizations to cooperate hand in hand in relief and rescue and to prevent duplicity, neglect and lack of accountability. Similarly, it is also suggested to deposit the collected relief and assistance funds in the central fund of the government.
Nepal Development Watch has stated that it will continuously monitor the developing situation within the limits of its capacity and resources. In addition, it has also expressed its commitment to continue dialogue and discussion with relevant stakeholders at the international level with the aim of creating a comfortable environment to advance the phase of rehabilitation and reconstruction.
