Organizing a press conference at his official residence in Baluwatar on Sunday, PM Koirala said relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction remain the major challenge for Nepal as the country strive to recover from the huge loss of life and property in the earthquake. "The government has set up National Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Fund. Our target is to raise Rs 200 billion. The government has earmarked Rs 20 billion as seed money from the Fund, with a request to donor communities as well as the private sector to make necessary contributions," he said.Prime Minister Koirala said they are very much encouraged by the gestures of goodwill and support from neighbors, development partners, friends and well-wishers in the international community. "We are confident of receiving support at an enhanced level from the international community as we begin the phase of rehabilitation and reconstructon," Koirala further said.
While thousands of precious lives have been lost and thousands injured and displaced, various critical infrastructure such as government buildings, health posts and schools have been badly damaged due to the massive earthquake on April 25 and later again on May 12. "The government intends to complete a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) by mid-June. We need data on victims for organized distribution of relief material and for long term planning," he said.
The prime minister recalled various world leaders including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chinee Presiden Xi Jinping, US President Barack Obama, UK Prime Minister David Cameroon, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and top leaders of various SAARC countries calling him over the phone to express their readiness to support Nepal in the aftermath of the major earthquake that has left the country in great devastation.
Prime Minister Koirala refuted allegations from various quarters that the government had been a failure in providing earthquake victims with relief materials with relief materials. "The government has not been a failure. We are struggling, given the limited resources we have," he said while adding that 38 of the 75 districts have been declared earthquake-affected districts.
The prime minister said the government has decided to provide immediate financial support of Rs 100,000 to every family with someone killed in the earthquake and Rs 40,000 for the funeral rites. The government will also provide Rs 25,000 to families for the repair of their damaged houses. The government has arranged free treatment for those injured by the earthquake. The government will provide Rs 15,000 as a cash grant for temporary shelter to each affected family," he said. The prime minster said the urgent needs at this time included shelter materials such tarpaulins and tents, dry foods, medical supplies including implants, hygiene and sanitation, and water purifiers to provide relief to people in the short term.
Brushing aside various speculations in a section of the media concerning Nepal's denial of permission fro Chinook helicopters from the UK to land in Kathmandu, this was because Nepal's only international airport has limited capacity to accommodate such facilities and those helicopters are not feasible in Nepal's difficult geographical terrain. "It's totally false to say that the helicopters were denied permission because of India and China," he said in response to a question asked by a journalist.
Recalling that parliament had in a spirit of solidarity and national unity unanimously adopted a resolution directing the governemt to undertake serious measure for rescue, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation, Prime Minister Koirala also appealed to all Nepalis to remain united.
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