Govt projects Rs. 5 bln for makeshift housing in Jajarkot and Rukum West

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 1: Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Minister for Home Affairs Narayan Kaji Shrestha has said that the government has decided to deploy security forces in the construction of temporary housing to facilitate the lives of citizens affected by the Jajarkot earthquake. 

Speaking at a meeting of the National Concerns and Coordination Committee under the National Assembly, DPM Shrestha said that the government is focused on bringing the earthquake victims living under tents and tarpaulins.

He said that the government has decided to deploy the Nepali Army, Armed Police Force Nepal and Nepal Police to construct temporary housing so that the earthquake victims living under tents during the cold season do not get into more trouble. 

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that the District Disaster Management Committee in the respective district has arranged for the security forces to operate as needed and said that the government is ready to provide more manpower if needed.

Mentioning that the government has immediately started three phases of work to help the citizens affected by the earthquake, DPM Shrestha reminded that priority has been given to rescue, relief and housing reconstruction. 

"After the earthquake in Jajarkot on November 3, the Prime Minister himself went to the affected area and led the rescue mission," he said. 

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a total of 154 people died and 366 people were injured in the Jajarkot earthquake. The Jajarkot epicentre quake has also affected Rukum West, Rukum East, Salyan, Rolpa, Nawalparasi East, Dailekh, Dang, Baitadi, Jumla, Pyuthan, and Achham.

According to the data received, 26,557 houses were completely damaged and 35,455 houses were partially damaged following the quake.  

Similarly, 16 government offices were completely damaged and 34 public buildings were partially damaged, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs. 

Stating that the government has made relief distribution effective since the second day of the earthquake, DPM Shrestha said that the focus is now on temporary housing construction and reconstruction of partially damaged houses.

Noting that the decision to provide Rs. 50,000 per family in two installments for construction of temporary housing has been implemented, Home Minister Shrestha said that the affected will get Rs. 25,000 as the first tranche and additional Rs. 25,000 will be provided after the beginning of the construction of the house.  

Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha said that it is estimated that an additional amount of Rs. 5 billion will be required just to build temporary housing in Jajarkot and Rukum West, which were most affected by the earthquake. 

"It is also estimated that a large amount of money will be required for the reconstruction of private housing and government structures in the affected areas", he said. "Discussions are underway with donor countries for reconstruction," he said.  

Informing that the inter-ministerial coordination is being done to solve the problems faced by the citizens of the earthquake-affected areas, the Home Minister said that necessary coordination is also being done with the provincial government.

In the meeting, the lawmakers of the Committee thanked the government for the i

mmediate rescue and relief of the citizens affected by the earthquake and suggested to focus on construction of temporary housing and reconstruction. 

As some of the earthquake victims who lived under tarpaulins died due to cold, the lawmakers have asked the government to help in the construction of temporary housing promptly for single women and to pay attention to the health condition of the earthquake victims.