Kathmandu, Aug 29: The political parties that often stand on opposite sides of major political issues have come together to respond to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Rasuwa floods, mobilising their organisations for search, rescue, relief and coordination.
The ruling Rastriya Swatantra Party, Nepali Congress and CPN UML, along with other parties, have deployed their members and affiliated organisations in the flood-affected districts. Their efforts have focused on rescuing stranded people, providing shelter and essential supplies, and coordinating with local administrations and security agencies.
RSP deploys Rapid Action Team
The ruling RSP has mobilised its Rapid Action Team, or RAT, in coordination with security agencies. Former RAT coordinator Ashish Thapa has been assigned to coordinate the party’s rescue and relief efforts.
Thapa said RAT members reached Nuwakot on Wednesday, before receiving a formal party assignment, after coordinating with the chief district officer and police. He said the team had rescued around 600 people, including about 250 from Sete Odar in Mailung, Rasuwa, on Thursday alone.
Around 500 rescued people were being housed in five shelters in Nuwakot, where the team arranged food and accommodation. Buses were also being arranged to take those rescued to Kathmandu.
RSP lawmakers reached affected areas carrying medicines, PPE, gloves and other medical supplies. The party said it was coordinating with district authorities and security agencies to manage relief supplies through a single channel.
Congress forms coordination committee
The main opposition Nepali Congress has formed a Rasuwa Flood Disaster Management Coordination and Facilitation Committee under central member and Rasuwa lawmaker Mohan Acharya.
The committee includes party leaders, lawmakers and local representatives from Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Tanahun, Chitwan and Nawalpur, along with provincial leaders and heads of affiliated organisations.
Congress has also set up an information and coordination desk at its central office. It has asked party members in affected areas to focus on rescue, relief and management rather than other activities.
The Nepal Tarun Dal has launched a three-day relief collection drive in Kathmandu, with collection points in New Baneshwor, Koteshwor, Chabahil and Thamel. It is collecting food and clothes but not cash.
UML sends senior team
CPN UML has also mobilised its party network and affiliated organisations. A team led by General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel inspected flood-affected areas in Nuwakot on Thursday.
The party has deployed members of ANNFSU, Youth Association Nepal and other organisations for rescue and relief. Its local party structures have already been mobilised, while additional personnel are being kept ready.
Other parties join response
CPN coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Prachanda, instructed party members to immediately engage in rescue, relief and humanitarian assistance while coordinating with local authorities.
The response marks an unusual show of political unity, with parties that frequently clash over political issues putting those differences aside to assist flood victims.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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