A high-level committee led by Home Minister Bamdev Gautam has directed the concerned ministries to set up basic infrastructures at locations where the locals of landslide-threatened settlements are to be shifted temporarily.

A meeting of the committee on Wednesday asked the ministries to set up basic infrastructures so that basic services like education, health, sanitation, roads and electricity, among others, can be provided to the temporarily relocated locals of settlements at the risk of landslides in 15 earthquake-affected districts.

The committee took the decision in line with the cabinet meeting's decision on Tuesday to relocate risky settlements in 15 districts to safer locations within 15 days.
"Just temporarily relocating risky settlements is not enough. It is also necessary to ensure them basic services. So, we took the decision to this effect," said Rameshwor Dangal, joint-secretary at the home ministry.

He said the committee has asked the education ministry to ensure that all children living in temporary shelters have access to education. "The ministry will have to set up temporary structures and run classes in temporary settlements," added he.

Shanta Raj Subedi, secretary at the Prime Minister's Office, who was also in the meeting, informed that the committee has asked the health ministry to set up temporary health care centers in all the temporary settlements.

"Likewise, the Ministry of Physical Infrastructures and Transportation has been asked to construct roads and the Ministry of Urban Development to ensure water and toilet facilities in the settlements," said he, adding, Nepal Electricity Authority has been asked to erect poles and supply electricity to the landslide victims.

Officials at the Ministry of Urban Development informed that around 200 risky settlements in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Dhading, Dolakha, Gorkha, Kavre, Lamjung, Nuwakot, Okhaldhunga, Rasuwa, Sindhuli, Sindhupalchowk, Solukhumbhu, Ramechhap and Makwanpur will be relocated to safer locations.

The committee also directed the district disaster relief committee of the earthquake-hit districts to strictly stick to the deadline and shift the risky settlements immediately.

Published on: 2 July 2015 | Republica