'Necessary to protect quake victims from cold'

By Nabin Shahi, Surkhet, Dec.12: Member of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Mihir Thakur said that it is necessary to protect the victims of the Jajarkot earthquake from the cold.

Thakur took stoke of the quake-affected areas and later met with the Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of the Karnali Province Krishna Bahadur GC' at his office in Surkeht on Wednesday. During the meeting, GC relayed the information that the cold is making the lives of the people in quake-affected areas difficult for the minister. 

Quake victims are living under tarpaulin sheets. The number of people in hospitals due to cold are rising.

The healthcare workers have asked for additional work from the provincial government.

 “It is a must to protect from cold.  The risk of cold can be minimized even if we can provide warming equipment or fire at the very least.  It has been observed of the need to increase workforce in the health care institutions as well,” said Thakur to Minister GC.

Member of Human Rights GC pointed out relief work has not reached some rural municipalities. He suggested the involvement of a team from the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA) for transparency. A mechanism needs to be formed for the reconstruction. 

He said, “The NEA has supported the reconstruction activities but the lack of coordination with the provincial government is observed. If a separate mechanism can be formed in the province itself then it would be handy in the future.”

The officials of the security agencies, people’s representatives, and volunteers should be rewarded for their contribution. 

Minister GC  said that the relief and reconstruction work in the province will continue in the future as well. Building a temporary settlement and providing relief aid to the victims, building infrastructures such as schools, health institutions, drinking water and roads are being made.   

According to him, money has been distributed to the families of 106 people under insurance amount at the rate of Rs 2 lakh per deceased.  Money distribution to families of other people is underway.