Kathmandu, Sept 4: Millions of rupees are being deposited daily into the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund for the rescue and relief of Bhotekoshi flood victims. Around Rs 5.5 billion has been collected so far from within Nepal and abroad.
The Prime Minister’s Office has opened nine accounts for contributions to the fund, prompting questions over how the money will be used and whether it will reach flood victims.
Home Ministry Joint Secretary Pradeep Koirala said the government’s policy is to use funds raised this time specifically for flood victims in the five affected districts. “This time, the money raised will be spent only on flood victims in the affected areas,” he said, adding that a separate account was opened for the Bhotekoshi disaster.
The Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund is a permanent fund. Before the Bhotekoshi floods, it held Rs 2.17 billion. Following the disaster, the fund’s operating committee released Rs 1 billion for immediate relief.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Rs 1 million each was sent to Rasuwa and Nuwakot, Rs 500,000 to Dhading, and Rs 13.5 million to 15 affected local governments. Officials said additional funds would be released based on need.
The affected local governments are in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Chitwan.
Under existing rules, the Central Disaster Relief Committee cannot independently collect donations. Its income comes from the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund, which can solicit contributions from various sources and remains permanently active.
Legally, money raised for one disaster can also be used for other disasters. For example, funds raised for Bhotekoshi flood victims could technically be spent on landslide victims elsewhere. However, a Home Ministry official said the government’s policy this time is to use the money only for the purpose for which it was raised.
People’s News Monitoring Service
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