Household insurance turning effective in Nepalgunj

Janaki (Banke), May 10: Uttam Singh Panjabi of Nepalgunj Submetropolis-7 and his family became homeless after losing their house to the last year's rains in August-September. The family went through severe stress. The house, which the family had built after years of struggle, meant a lot to them. 

"Those moments of tragedy still haunt me painfully. The continuous rainfall damaged hour house, and we managed to escape to safety," he said. 

As he said, the biggest concern was for the safety of their small children and the challenge for rebuilding the house. "As a result, we spent many sleepless nights," he recalled. 

The Panjabi family had no immediate financial support either to restore the house. But a household insurance programme implemented by the local government proved to a boon for the family. Under the insurance ensured by the National Insurance Company, the family became eligible to claim Rs 232,000 and with this support, the family now lives in a new house. 

Mayor Prashant Bista said he was also emotional while handing a check of insurance amount to the family, the first beneficiary of the household insurance. Before the incident, he was personally not fully convinced by the idea of implementing the household insurance. The situation proved its significance, he added.   

"It has now been greatly realised that the same insurance scheme became a means of providing shelter to the family. During disaster, it can be a great support to the people from the financially disadvantaged families," the Mayor said. 

The scheme has been implemented in four wards:  3, 7, 8 and 11 of Nepalgunj, targeting families vulnerable to disaster impacts. It so far covers 184 families. In the initial phase, it was launched for ward 3 and 7 and expanded to remaining two wards in the second phase. 

The implementation of the programme aimed at creating a security base before the occurrence of disaster, he said. The local government has planned to cover all vulnerable families from all wards in the days to come. 

Banke's other local governments: Narainapur Rural Municipality, Kohalpur Municipality and Khajura Rural Municipality have planned to enforce the household insurance from the current fiscal year. Disaster focal person at the Sub-metropolis, Dipendra Shrestha, said the insurance scheme has increased public awareness about disasters, supporting the affected people in rehabilitation. 

Initially, the communities were not very interested in joining the insurance programme, considering it somewhat 'unnecessary' and a time-consuming process. However, communities are now becoming more attracted to it. Other local governments have also been inspired by this initiative, which is welcoming, Shrestha added. 

The premium amount of this scheme is borne by the local government itself and being based on the scale of damages. There is a provision of providing up to Rs 1.5 million to the beneficiary. 

As a local said, lately, the incidents of incessant rains, inundations and winds are on rise here, affecting those residing in the vulnerable structures. At such situation, this insurance scheme is likely to be a high need for them. (RSS)