KIRDARC Nepal to build makeshifts for physically-challenged quake victims

By Our Correspondent,Kalikot, Dec. 18: Earthquake-hit locals of Ramidanda in Jajarkot district, which was the epicentre of the November 3 quake, are still waiting for help to build temporary makeshifts. 

The earthquake-affected locals of Ramidanda in Barekot Rural Municipality-1 have not received any help other than one piece of blanket and one sack of rice. 

They have been looking for additional help so that they can build shelters to avoid the chill of winter nights. 

The villagers have responded that as the process of getting Rs. 50,000 per house from the Rural Municipality for temporary housing is ongoing, they are waiting for other helpers as the cold is increasing.

Kamal Budha of Agar of the village said that they were waiting for help for the temporary housing. 

The physically challenged 44-year-old man said that they were hopeful that the work on the temporary housing would begin in a few days.

As international non-governmental organisations like People in Need (PIN) and Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) Nepal have taken responsibility for the construction of temporary makeshifts, the Ramidanda locals were hopeful that they could get shelters within this winter. 

Bhima Lal Jyoti, who is also differently-abled, said that the authorities have ensured providing Rs. 65,000 as immediate relief amount to build temporary housing.

KIRDARC Nepal responded, “As soon as we deposit Rs. 65,000 cash in the account of each physically challenged person, we will hire labourers to build the huts.”

Govinda Kathayat, the programme coordinator of KIRDARC Nepal, said that they would provide cash support of Rs. 65,000 per family and a team of 10 professionals, including two civil engineers, would be mobilised for the construction work. 

The Rural Municipality has handed over the responsibility of constructing 200 temporary shelters to KIRDARC Nepal. Bir Bahadur Giri, ward chair of Barekot Rural Municipality, said that although the government standard is to support Rs. 50,000 per household, KIRDARC Nepal was given the task of building shelters for poor families especially disabled people, new mothers, children and senior citizens.