Delayed Housing Grant

About 34,500 houses in Jajarkot and 16,900 in Rukum West were completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake that jolted the two districts on November 3. As per the Temporary Housing Construction Grant Procedure for Earthquake Affected Households- 2080, a displaced family whose house is completely or partially damaged and has become uninhabitable will receive Rs. 50,000 each in two evenly divided instalments. We all know that timely financial assistance is essential for the earthquake-affected residents to rebuild their houses, but it is sad to learn that still many quake victims haven't received the first tranche of the grant for the construction of their temporary houses. 

Of Rs. 1.034 billion allocated to the District Disaster Management Committee's fund for temporary housing construction, seven municipalities have distributed the first tranche of Rs. 25000 to 36,855 beneficiaries, totaling Rs. 921.3 million. It's positive to see progress in the distribution of funds in Jajarkot. However, it's also crucial to ensure that the remaining funds are efficiently allocated and distributed to reach all beneficiaries who are in dire need of the assistance. The fund disbursement delay points to the urgent need for putting in place an effective mechanism for prompt deliveries to the targeted people. Emergency shelter and reconstruction assistance would significantly help the victims to return to normal mode of life. 

As per the news published in this daily on Saturday, a total of 1,888 beneficiaries in Bheri Municipality, 193 in Nalgad Municipality, 974 in Chhedagad Municipality, 690 in Barekot Rural Municipality and 162 in Shivalaya Rural Municipality are yet to receive the first tranche of the grant. The undistributed funds have remained in the local government’s account, and none of the beneficiaries have received the second instalment. Due to this delay, many victims were compelled to move back to their damaged houses. While some others are still languishing under the tents. The victims have had to live through the harsh winter without proper roofs over their heads. 

More than four months into the quake, many of the displaced people are still without proper shelter. November, December, January and February are the coldest months of the year and it is unfortunate that the locals hard hit had to combat freezing cold without appropriate shelter and enough warm clothes and other essential supplies. It is important for the concerned authorities, aid organisations and other stakeholders to expedite the process of providing assistance to ensure that those in need receive the necessary support as soon as possible because delays can result in undesirable sufferings and losses. 

Transparent and accountable management of these funds is essential to effectively support the victims in rebuilding their lives and communities. As Nepal lies in the fault-line of two tectonic plates, it has been experiencing massive earthquakes time and again. This reality calls for sound safety precautions and better preparedness. Building quake resilient houses is one of them. Survivors of recent quakes need government even more urgently. Delays should not be made to deliver the support on any pretext.