National 9 (Spotlight Weekly)

Caring The Flood Victims

An INGO mobilizes efforts to provide relief to victims of floods

By A CORRESPONDENT

CARE Nepal is providing immediate relief support to the victims of floods through a large-scale relief operation in the eastern Terai region of Nepal. Altogether 25 districts are affected across the country, of which the five eastern Terai districts of Sarlahi, Mahottari, Dhanusa, Siraha and Saptari are the worst hit. These are also the districts where CARE Nepal is currently implementing a number of projects, including Nepal Family Health Program, Churia Watershed Management Project, Churia Area Program and SAGUN Irrigation Program. The damage caused by flash floods in these districts is the worst in recent memory, and has washed away thousand of hectares of fertile farmland, claimed many lives and rendered thousands of families homeless.

States the press release from the CARE Nepal, "Given CARE Nepal’s heavy involvement in these districts through its various projects, programs and partners, CARE Nepal was approached by the local communities and authorities to extend support to the victims of the floods. CARE Nepal has already extended immediate relief materials (i.e. food items, cooking utensils, clothing, materials for temporary shelter and some basic medical supplies) to 5,950 households whose houses have been completely destroyed."

The relief materials worth Rs 8.33 million have already been handed over to District Chapters of Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), in coordination with District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) till date. CARE Nepal is also mobilizing its local NGO partners, CBOs, including Water User Associations for the distribution and monitoring of relief materials.

Donors to the relief operation include the Government of Austria through CARE Austria, the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs through CARE Deutschland, CARE Canada, CARE USA’s Emergency Relief Fund, and CARE Nepal.

CARE Nepal has plans to carry out post relief operation in these districts if it continues receiving additional funds. The activity will primarily include support in terms of house construction, distribution of agriculture seeds and tube-wells installations in the affected areas.

"CARE is an international development organization. CARE began its work in Nepal in 1978. Today, CARE Nepal is one of the largest international NGOs working in Nepal, operating in 33 districts through 17 community development programs. These community-based initiatives are aimed at addressing the root causes of poverty in Nepal. However, at times of emergency, CARE still responds to emergencies to meet immediate needs of its target people. CARE believes that poverty can’t be conquered when people’s lives are at stake," the release further states.

Bomb Explosion in Soaltee

On the eve of their announcement to close down 12 targeted industries, the Maoists exploded four bombs in the Hotel Soaltee on Monday (August 16) evening. However, nobody was hurt in the incident. The panic-stricken guests had to be transferred from the hotel. Slight damage was incurred in transformer inside the hotel due to the explosion.

Authorities have said that the Maoists hurled the bombs into the hotel premises from the western side. Following the explosion, the management of the Hotel has decided to close it down indefinitely.

Tourism entrepreneurs have said the incident would deal a big blow to the whole tourism sector in the country especially when a major tourist season is about to begin. The Hotel Association of Nepal (HAN) promptly released a statement condemning the attack agains the hotel. The pro-Maoist trade union had warned 12 industries including Hotel Soaltee to close down beginning August 17 alleging them of exploitation of labor and spying against them. Hotel Soaltee was particularly targeted by the Maoists who claim it of having royal investment. The Hotel management had denied these charges.

Despite the assurances of full security from the government, most of the 12 industries – which are in its hit list – have decided to close down their businesses till the Maoists themselves withdraw their threat. At an interaction program held in the capital, owners of the industries said they had no option other than to suspend their business indefinitely.

Binod Bahadur Shrestha, president of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI), said that the government would lose tens of millions of rupees in revenue everyday if these 12 industries remained out of operation. Addressing a press meet on Monday, government spokesperson and Information Minister Dr. Mohamad Mohsin claimed that the Home Ministry has done all homework to guarantee security to the industries concerned.

“The government assures of full security. The industries should continue their business normally,” said Dr. Mohsin. He added that since the trade unions related with the industries have already deplored the Maoist threat, they should withdraw it. “When the workers on whose name the Maoists have issued the threat, themselves, have said it would only hurt their livelihood, it is up to the Maoists to realize the situation,” the minister said.