Kathmandu, November 1
More than two months after floods displaced their homes, many families in Rasuwa and Nuwakot are still waiting for the monthly rent assistance promised by the government.
The Thapa family from Tallo Pairebesi in Uttargaya Rural Municipality-4, Rasuwa, is among those living in rented accommodation after losing their homes to the floods. The family, which comprises five households, has yet to receive the government’s promised monthly rent support of Rs 15,000.
The flood scattered family members across different places, with some moving to Kathmandu and others to Hetauda.
“Landlords come asking for rent, but the government has not provided the money. Winter has begun, and we do not know where we are supposed to live,” said Tara Bahadur Thapa.
The government had announced monthly rent assistance of Rs 15,000 for families with up to four members, with an additional Rs 2,000 for larger families. However, many displaced people say they have not received the support even after more than two months.
“We have received Rs 15,000 from organisations working in the area and Rs 25,000 for funeral expenses,” Thapa said. “Apart from that, we have received nothing. Rent has to be paid every month. Where are we supposed to get the money? The government should at least decide quickly where we can be resettled.”
Displaced families in Gosainkunda Rural Municipality of Rasuwa have also complained that they have not received the government’s rent assistance.
“The government’s promised money has not arrived. Some organisations have provided Rs 15,000 per month for two or three months to some families. They did so in coordination with the rural municipality,” said Singi Dhindup Tamang, a resident of Syafrubesi.
Residents of Syafrubesi currently staying at the Yellow Monastery in Kathmandu remain uncertain about where they will settle.
“We visited Syafrubesi a few days ago to understand the possibilities for resettlement. But it seems nothing can move forward until the government makes a decision,” Tamang said. “We have no certainty about where we will live. We would prefer to continue living and running our businesses in Syafrubesi.”
Flood-displaced families in Bidur Municipality of Nuwakot have also not received the promised rent assistance.
“We have not received the Rs 15,000 the government promised. Most people here are living in rented accommodation. It has been two months, and the rent support has not arrived,” said Raj Neupane.
He said the municipality had invited applications from landowners interested in receiving housing support through assistance from foreign organisations. However, the situation of families without land remains unclear.
Bidur Mayor Rajan Shrestha said organisations were providing financial assistance in coordination with the municipality, while the local government was waiting to finalise the list of eligible beneficiaries before distributing the federal government’s support.
“The government has promised Rs 15,000 for house rent. Organisations are already providing an equivalent amount. We are working to avoid duplication,” he said. “Once the list of beneficiaries is finalised, we will distribute the rent assistance for three months in a lump sum.”
Shrestha said the municipality had initially decided to provide Rs 10,000 in rent assistance but was working to align its support with the federal government’s announcement of Rs 15,000.
He added that the municipality had proposed suitable land to the government for the resettlement of displaced families.
“We have proposed the land required for resettlement, but the government has not made a decision with clear criteria,” he said. “We are waiting for that decision. Once it is made, we are ready to work with organisations to build houses.”
Government officials say delays in verifying the number of genuinely displaced families have held up the distribution of the promised assistance.
According to Shrestha, between 1,700 and 2,000 households have been affected in Bidur Municipality, and housing needs to be arranged for them.
Gosainkunda Rural Municipality is also waiting for a decision from the federal government.
“The delay is because the government has not made a decision. We need to build around 400 houses in our municipality,” said rural municipality chairperson Kaisang Nurpu Tamang.
Uttargaya Rural Municipality has provided Rs 25,000 to each displaced household as financial assistance. It has also collected applications for rent support, but the beneficiary data has yet to be finalised.
“We will distribute the rent assistance once the data is verified. We have already provided Rs 25,000 in financial support to each household,” said rural municipality vice-chairperson Chameli Gurung.
According to Gurung, 749 houses need to be built in Uttargaya.
“The process is stalled because the federal government has not reached a conclusion. It has not decided how much houses should cost, where they should be built or how the process should proceed,” she said.
