Amid biting cold, quake victims still in tents

By Raju Lamichhane,Musikot, Jan. 4: Even after two months have passed since an earthquake struck Jajarkot, many victims are still compelled to reside under tents. 

A total of 53 people from Rukum Paschim lost their lives in the earthquake, leaving around 32,000 families homeless.

Following the earthquake on November 3, 2023, search, rescue, treatment, and relief distribution efforts have been effective. 

However, there has been a delay in the construction of temporary housing, prompting complaints from earthquake victims who are forced to stay in tents for months. In this situation, the local government is still focusing on constructing temporary housing.

According to the statistics of the District Administration Office, only 7,079 temporary houses have been constructed in Rukum West with government subsidies so far. The rest of the victims are still living under the tents, while some are forced to live in houses damaged by the earthquake.

Ramesh Malla of Aathbiskot Municipality-13 said that he, along with most of his family, is currently residing in tents. Some victims have begun moving back to their damaged houses as the tents are unable to withstand the cold. The earthquake victims are eagerly awaiting the construction of temporary houses and the reconstruction of their old homes. 

Saraswati Jaisi, another victim from Chhepare village in Aathbiskot Municipality-14, expressed concerns about the rising health issues affecting all families staying in the tents. 

She mentioned that the winter cold seeps into the tents, exacerbating her own struggles with cold-related discomfort and asthma. She urged the government to expedite house construction, emphasizing that it would provide much-needed relief to the affected individuals.

Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Pant informed that a total of 7,079 temporary houses have been constructed, and an additional 9,341 houses are currently under construction.

So far, the district has received a budget of Rs. 840 million from the federal government for temporary housing construction. A sum of Rs. 590 million from the district has already been sent to the local-level fund as the first installment. 

To date, the local level has disbursed Rs. 49.2 million into the accounts of beneficiaries. A total of 19,717 families have received the initial installment at the rate of Rs. 25,000 each.

So far, about 27,000 beneficiaries have been identified in the district, while the work of collecting applications is still going on at the local level. It is estimated that the number of beneficiaries will reach about 32,000.