Kathmandu, September 7
President Ram Chandra Paudel has said people affected by the devastating Bhotekoshi floods in Rasuwa are in deep pain after losing their homes, relatives, livelihoods and being displaced, and that they now need support and reassurance from the state.
Paudel made the remarks in an address to the nation on Monday after visiting flood-affected areas of Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
“The pain of citizens who have become homeless, lost relatives, been displaced and lost their means of livelihood in this natural disaster is extremely deep. Right now, they need the support of the state, they need reassurance,” Paudel said.
He said complaints and demands raised by disaster victims should not be viewed as criticism but as important signals for identifying and addressing their problems.
“We know that listening to the voices of citizens affected by disasters and being sensitive to their suffering is a fundamental duty of a democratic state,” he said. “I urge the government and all relevant bodies to view the complaints and demands of the victims not as criticism, but as important signals for finding solutions.”
Paudel said the government should continue making every effort to make search, rescue, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation more effective by coordinating among all levels of government and relevant state agencies.
Search for missing to continue
The President reassured families still waiting for information about their relatives and friends that search and rescue operations would continue.
“I want to reassure everyone waiting for news of their family members and friends that search and rescue operations will continue. The whole nation truly feels the pain of this moment of uncertainty that you are going through,” he said.
He stressed that every rescued person should have access to food, clean drinking water, safe shelter, necessary medical care and psychosocial counselling.
Paudel also called for special attention to children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women and other vulnerable people requiring additional protection.
He said temporary shelters for disaster victims should be safe and dignified.
The President also stressed the need to provide accurate information to families of both Nepali and foreign nationals affected by the disaster and facilitate humanitarian support to help grieving families bring their loved ones home.
Those who lost their lives, he said, must be remembered and treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
“The procedures to identify the deceased should be carried out in a highly sensitive and accountable way,” Paudel said, calling on the government to preserve DNA samples and other evidence to ensure reliable identification.
‘Search and rescue must not be abandoned’
Paudel said the August 26 disaster, caused by a glacier collapse and avalanche along with rocks and debris, had caused unimaginable suffering and extensive damage to lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure including roads, bridges and hydropower projects.
He paid tribute to those killed and expressed condolences to their families, while wishing those injured a speedy recovery and hoping for the successful rescue of those still missing.
The President praised the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, health workers, local representatives, government employees, volunteers and other individuals and organisations involved in rescue and relief operations.
He said many rescuers had entered extremely dangerous areas while risking their own lives.
“Their indomitable courage, dedication and sense of service represent Nepal’s exemplary humanitarian sentiments and national character,” he said.
However, Paudel stressed that difficult geography, damaged roads and unstable and hazardous conditions should not become reasons to halt or abandon search and rescue operations.
Foreign nationals also among victims
Paudel also paid tribute to foreign nationals who lost their lives in the disaster, including those working in Nepal, visiting as tourists, trekking in the Himalayas or undertaking spiritual journeys.
He said Nepal considers every person within its territory part of its own family and would coordinate with the governments and diplomatic missions of countries whose citizens were affected by the Bhotekoshi floods.
He thanked neighbouring countries, friendly nations and the international community for providing search and rescue personnel, technical experts, medical teams and equipment during Nepal’s difficult hour.
Calls for national unity and climate justice
Recalling that Nepal has faced earthquakes, floods and landslides in the past, Paudel said Nepalis had repeatedly confronted disasters with courage, patience and determination.
He called on political parties, elected representatives, civil society, humanitarian and rescue organisations, the private sector, business community and citizens to remain united.
“This is the time to show national unity and solidarity. It is a time for reconstruction, rehabilitation and economic revival,” he said.
Paudel also said the disaster presented an opportunity to rethink Nepal’s development model as the country enters a period of reconstruction and recovery.
He said the disaster demonstrated the deteriorating condition of the Himalayan environment and served as a warning about risks associated with rising global temperatures.
“I sincerely call on the international community not only to listen to the voices of ecologically affected nations including Nepal, but also to take concrete and effective steps to ensure climate justice for them,” he said.
