Kathmandu, 10 September (H.S.): The Nepal government has begun assessing the need for temporary housing for people displaced by floods in the country.

Thousands of people in the affected districts are still living in emergency holding centres. The government is conducting a survey to determine how many individuals and families actually require separate temporary accommodation.

According to Prakash Aryal, Deputy Director General of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and coordinator of the Rehabilitation and Shelter Management Task Force constituted by the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, it is not necessarily the case that every person staying in a holding centre requires separate temporary accommodation.

The survey is being conducted through local governments. Under the exercise, details are being collected on the number of individuals and families who require temporary housing.

Aryal said, “It is not necessary that everyone staying in the holding centres requires temporary accommodation.”

The government is collecting the required information through forms. Once the process is completed, suitable locations will be identified and construction of temporary housing will begin. The entire process will be carried out in coordination with local governments.

The process of identifying land for temporary housing has already begun in various areas, including Galchhi and Bidur in Nuwakot.

According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, flood victims currently staying in holding centres in various districts will be provided temporary accommodation according to their preferences.

At present, holding centres are being used as emergency shelters. Affected families staying there will be shifted to separate temporary housing units. The process of permanent rehabilitation, however, will begin only after the government conducts a detailed assessment of the damage and prepares a reconstruction plan.

Teams from the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction have been deployed to the affected districts since Tuesday and are assessing the extent of the damage.

During the survey, several details concerning affected individuals and families will be collected. These will include whether their homes have been completely or partially damaged, how many members of a family have died or remain missing, and whether the family wishes to stay in temporary accommodation provided by the government or in a rented house.

In addition, records will be prepared on whether families own land, where they wish to relocate, and what requirements they have for drinking water, sanitation and other essential services.

The department expects the survey to be completed within a week.

The government is also planning to survey affected families who are not currently staying in holding centres. The process of constructing temporary housing will be taken forward after the comprehensive assessment has been completed.

However, ensuring safe and permanent rehabilitation could prove to be a major challenge for the government. Floods in Rasuwa have swept away not only the homes of several families but also their land. As a result, some affected families no longer have a safe place to return to.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar