Don’t Let Accessibility Decide Who Gets Relief

Nepal’s relief efforts often suffer from poor coordination and a lack of institutional memory. The same problem appears to be emerging in the aftermath of the recent floods in Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Government authorities must ensure effective coordination among local governments and other agencies involved in relief distribution so that the needs of affected communities are identified before assistance is dispatched. Relief should not be distributed simply on the basis of what is available or easiest to collect. It must reach those who need it most, when they need it. The experience in Bidur should serve as a warning. As the district headquarters and a relatively accessible location from Kathmandu, Bidur may have received relief materials more quickly than many other flood-affected settlements. But an abundance of supplies in Bidur—the district headquarter of Nuwakot-- should not create the impression that flood victims across Nuwakot and Rasuwa have received adequate assistance.