NGOs, working to help quake victims in Jajarkot return

By Bashudev Sharma ,Jajarkot, July 22: Around 25 organisations, which were working to provide immediate relief, rescue, and temporary housing in the district following the earthquake, have now left the district. 

These NGOs and INGOs had entered the district to support the post-quake reconstruction. But due to delays in government procedure formulation, they were compelled to leave.

On the night of November 3, 2023, an earthquake struck the district with its epicentre at Ramidanda, Barekot Rural Municipality–1. 

Following the destruction and loss caused by the quake, nearly 25 organisations had come to aid in relief, temporary housing, and reconstruction. However, due to the government’s negligence and delays in drafting procedures, these organisations have left the district. 

Although they supported rescue, relief, and temporary housing, they returned without being able to assist in the reconstruction phase.

According to Sahadev Basnet, Chairperson of the NGO Federation Jajarkot, the NGOs and INGOs that had come to complete the reconstruction of private housing for the people, left the district after facing uncertainty caused by the government’s failure to prepare timely reconstruction procedures.

He further informed that after the earthquake, about 2,000 temporary shelters were built across seven local levels of Jajarkot. 

Model homes were provided to poor, marginalised Dalits and economically disadvantaged people. Temporary learning centres were also constructed in 100 schools. 

Drinking water systems were supported in areas where water sources were damaged by the quake. 

Additionally, construction, sanitation, psychological counselling, and around 15 roads were developed to ensure swift rescue during disasters. Financial support was also given to senior citizens, postpartum and pregnant women, and people with disabilities.

Though these organisations came to assist in the government’s responsibility to protect disaster victims, they withdrew after the reconstruction process failed to gain momentum due to a lack of procedural guidelines. 

Hasiram Kami of Nalagadh Municipality–4 said that his house was destroyed by the earthquake. He had been living under a thatch-roofed shed. His family now own a safe shelter after receiving a model house from one of the organisations. 

He mentioned receiving support in drinking water and sanitation as well. Locals expressed happiness after receiving such assistance from organisations instead of the government.

Due to the government’s delay in preparing procedures, donor agencies, who came for a limited time to help the victims, have returned. 

Even nearly 21 months after the earthquake hit the district, victims’ pain has worsened as the detailed damage assessment (DDA) report is being released in phases. 

Locals have urged the government to promptly mobilise donor agencies in the affected areas to accelerate the reconstruction process.

The budget allocated for sectors such as health, education, private housing, and sanitation in the quake-devastated villages of Jajarkot has been frozen. 

Because of the government’s sluggishness in reconstruction, people have been left homeless. During the disaster, millions in aid from donors have been sent back unused. 

Since stakeholders and concerned authorities have failed to act seriously, this has caused the departure of organisations along with millions in funds from the district.