Kathmandu. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle has expressed commitment that the government will not let there be a shortage of resources and means to face the natural disaster that has befallen the country.
On Thursday, after a meeting of top leaders of major political parties held at Singha Durbar, Finance Minister Wagle provided information about the rescue, relief, and reconstruction plans.
Finance Minister Wagle stated that the rescue operation of Nepalis and foreign tourists who went missing or were stranded due to floods, landslides, and inundation has been intensified. He informed that rescue operations are currently underway with 22 helicopters despite geographical and seasonal adversities. He mentioned that the government has become active in mobilizing foreign aid for post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction.
“Immediately after the incident, in coordination with the World Bank, financial assistance of approximately 25 billion rupees has been secured,” said Finance Minister Wagle. “In addition, commitments of assistance have been received from China, India, Japan, the Asian Development Bank, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).”
He informed that 10 billion rupees have been allocated in the budget for disaster management for the current fiscal year. He clarified that there will be no shortage of resources for immediate relief and rescue as 2 billion 34 crore rupees are available in the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and 1 billion 17 crore rupees are in the Ministry of Home Affairs’ fund. He emphasized the need for the government, political parties, civil society, and the private sector to unite in a ‘whole of society’ approach to resolve this crisis.
According to preliminary data, 25 concrete bridges and 700 MW capacity hydropower projects of the private sector have been damaged by the disaster. Finance Minister Wagle pointed out the need to conduct a grand reconstruction campaign based on scientific facts, similar to the post-2015 earthquake reconstruction.
He also praised the unique character of Nepali politics where all political parties stand together in times of national crisis. He informed that the government has given high priority to the management of bodies found in areas like Nawalpur and Chitwan and the search for the missing.
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