Landslide victims yet to be rehabilitated

Kathmandu - Dhan Bahadur Jugjali of Morang Rikha in Dhaulagiri rural municipality-6 lost his wife and two daughters, as well as his house and land in landslide last monsoon. Since then, he has been living with his two other kids in a makeshift tent in Arbang. "We were rendered landless squatters after losing our house and land, along with three members of the family", said Jugjali. However, he is concerned that his remaining life would be confined to the tent as the safe housing project announced by the government for landslide survivors is yet to be implemented. Its similar story for many people like Jugjali, who lost their house and source of income in the landslides last monsoon in Myagdi district.

Dhaulagiri rural municipality that has a budget of Rs. 126.5 million for the current fiscal year needs Rs. 260 million for rehabilitation of landslides survivors and rebuilding of the damaged infrastructure, according to a post-disaster assessment. More than 10 million rupees have already been spent in the post-landslide rescue, relief and temporary rehabilitation, said the rural municipality Chair Thamsara Pun. We are now concerned with raising funds to meet the needs of the survivors.