Help for Earthquake victims is the biggest challenge now.

Make it quick

  Help for earthquake victims The biggest challenge for relief and rescue workers involved in post-earthquake operations is the ever-present risk of aftershocks, some of which can be nearly as strong as the Big One. In our case as well, repeated aftershocks, which culminated in the 6.8-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, have hampered relief efforts. Thus, once again, hats-off to all the brave souls involved in clearing debris, rebuilding homes and trying to bring people's lives back to normal.

But even with all the attendant dangers, rescue and relief efforts cannot stop. So long as people of far-flung regions in worst-hit districts like Sindhupalchowk and Gorkha don't have access to steady food supply and permanent roof over their heads—and reports are that those living away from motor roads are yet to get such substantial help—a serious risk to their liveswill continue. With the monsoon approaching, even the makeshift tents most of them now live in could be swept away.

There is thus no alternative to working on a war-footing to get basic necessities to earthquake victims and ensure reliable, all-weather shelters for them.Reportedly, around Rs 15 billion have already been collected in the Prime Minister's Relief Fund. But with the estimated damages of at least Rs 40 billion, that is nearly not enough. The rather surprising thing is that donors, both within the country and outside, have collectively pledged nearly the needed amount.

But they are hesitating in making their funds available to the PM's fund since they fear most of it will end up in the pockets of corrupt bureaucrats, with only a tiny sliver filtering down to actual earthquake victims. So far, the government has failed to take our major donors into confidence, although some have been easier to convince than others. Perhaps if the government can come up with a clear plan of action on expenditure of collected funds—how much, by whom and where—then perhaps more potential donors would contribute to the PM's fund. But our potential donors should also be reasonable.

It is not right to expect foolproof expenditure at this time of crisis. Yes, some of their money might be misused, but they should, realistically,still be happy if the major portion of their help gets to the right people at the right time.As we have repeatedly said, reconstructing and rebuilding Nepal that has been devastated by recent earthquakes won't be easy, nor will it be quick.

The gargantuan task is also not possible without continued support of our foreign friends. We would thus like to urge all our major bilateral and multilateral donors to stay with us in these trying circumstances;and to have a little more faith in local actors.

Yes, you have every right to ask for a mechanism that will ensure optimal and appropriate utilization of your funds. Such a mechanism will also be in the interest of earthquake victims. But do it quick. Hash out your differences with the government at the earliest. There is not a moment to waste.