Most of the Bhotekoshi flood relief fund still unspent; talks under way on cash support

A large share of the aid collected from within Nepal and abroad for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of people affected by the Bhotekoshi flood remains in government accounts.

According to the Ministry of Finance, about Rs 18.09 billion in aid has been collected so far. Of that, only about Rs 1 billion has been sent to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and government data shows only about Rs 370 million of that has been spent. Local levels in the affected districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading have received about Rs 160 million.

According to authority spokesperson Ram Bahadur KC, the Nepal Army, which was deployed in rescue operations, has been given about Rs 90 million, while Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force have each been given about Rs 60 million. He said funds have also been made available to district disaster management funds.

Officials from the authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs have held discussions with UN agencies, the IFRC, the Red Cross and international non-governmental organisations on providing cash assistance to disaster victims, including those affected by the Bhotekoshi and Budhi Gandaki floods.

Chairing the meeting, authority chief executive Dr Dharma Raj Upreti urged that assistance be channelled in coordination with the government, as part of the government's own contribution. Bishwaraj Neupane, chief of the Ministry of Home Affairs' disaster policy coordination and international relations division, urged coordination with the authority to distribute aid according to the Disaster-Sensitive Social Security and Relief Distribution Standards, 2081, and the Council of Ministers' decision on providing cash for resettlement and livelihoods.