Kathmandu, September 24
Minister for Women, Children, Gender and Sexual Minorities, and Social Security Sita Badi has urged that the dignity and privacy of disaster-affected citizens be respected.
Speaking at Thursday’s meeting of the House of Representatives, Minister Badi called for a stop to the practice of photographing or filming victims without their consent in the name of relief distribution and then publicising it on social media, and directed special attention to the rights and protection of children.
Minister Badi said that, so far, 6,459 people affected by the floods have received psychosocial first aid.
According to her, 155 personnel and security staff deployed for rescue work have been given stress management training, while an additional 102 people have been oriented for affected-friendly service delivery.
Speaking on the role of non-governmental organisations in disaster response, Minister Badi said the Social Welfare Council’s project approval process has been made faster. Since Bhadau 15, 149 new projects have been approved. The ministry said relief materials worth roughly Rs 504.2 million from international NGOs and over Rs 205.7 million from national organisations have been mobilised.
Minister Badi cautioned against activities during relief distribution that could humiliate victims.
“When helping victims, we shouldn’t be rubbing salt in their wounds; we need to create an environment that helps heal those wounds,” she said.
She urged everyone in particular not to publish material that reveals children’s identities, and not to use demeaning language targeting women and victims.
To reduce the risk of human trafficking and gender-based violence that could arise from treating disaster risk as an opportunity, monitoring has been increased at border points and holding centres in coordination with the Home Ministry and Nepal Police.
The ministry said it has not limited its priorities to relief and rescue alone, but has also prioritised programs for the rehabilitation, livelihoods, and long-term social protection of those affected.
