HoR: High-level parliamentary panel demanded for post-disaster relief and reconstruction

Kathmandu, Sept 15: CPN (UML)’s Parliamentary Party Deputy Leader Padma Kumari Aryal has demanded formation of a high-level parliamentary committee to oversee relief, search and rescue, reconstruction and rehabilitation operations in the wake of August 26’s Bhotekoshi flood.

Speaking in today’s meeting of the House of Representatives (HoR), Deputy Leader Aryal insisted that the government and other concerned agencies should step up ongoing relief distribution, search and rescue efforts and rehabilitation and reconstruction operation.

Aryal also voiced her concern that the incumbent government and concerned authorities were unable to take timely initiatives to secure international assistance to support and expedite post-disaster response efforts.

Citing the post-earthquake reconstruction operation Nepal had experienced in the aftermath of 2015’s Gorkha Earthquake, Deputy Leader Aryal urged the government to rope in political parties, local governments, communities and other groups together in rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts.

Towards this, she articulated her party’s readiness to work alongside the government to support the recovery process.

Furthermore, the Deputy Leader proposed establishing an autonomous and empowered special authority to lead reconstruction operation.

Calling for prompt action on post-disaster response efforts, she suggested accelerating such efforts with support from the international community.

Highlighting the increasing scale of losses and damages Nepal is facing due to climate crisis, Aryal called on the government to eloquently raise voice internationally for climate justice as well as for the support Nepal deserves for climate-induced losses and damages.

Through the meeting of the Lower House, she also drew attention of the government the shortage and rising prices of LPG cooking gas in the market, urging immediate measures to address the problems.