Discussion with those working in Madhesh Province

Kathmandu, July 28: A discussion was held with the representatives of United Nations agencies, NGOs and I-NGOs working in the sector of drinking water, sanitation, agriculture and irrigation in the Madhesh Province.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority summoned a meeting with them at Singhadurbar on Monday to discuss the drought situation across the Madhesh Province and seek a solution to the ongoing problems. It may be noted that a cabinet meeting on July 23 had declared Madhesh Province a disaster-hit zone for three months, citing acute water shortage caused by prolonged drought.

Before that, the Madhesh Province government had made a similar declaration on July 10. The representatives attending today’s meeting briefed on what they were delivering in the Province in their respective working areas. They were of the view that it would be easier for them to extend necessary assistance if they were provided with detailed information about the worst-affected areas in the Province.

During the meeting, Authority’s CEO Dinesh Bhatta urged the attendees of the meeting to prioritise drinking water and shared that they had sought information from the concerned district administration offices on which areas needed urgent help. He reminded that the Authority had held a meeting with the leaders and administrators of Madhesh Province on July 26 in the presence of Minister for Home Affairs, Ramesh Lekhak.

Following the decision of the cabinet to declare Madhesh a disaster-hit zone, the Authority appealed to the UN agencies, social organizations and the Red Cross to modify their programmes as per the need and lay their focus on Madhesh. With the declaration of Madhesh Province as a disaster-hit zone, work on improving drinking water and irrigation facilities has begun in the Province.