Kathmandu,
May 17, 2015:
Prime
Minister Sushil Koirala has said that the government did not fail in post
disaster management after the powerful jolt of April 25 earthquake and series
of aftershocks rocked the nation.
"I don't
find any failures of the government during the earthquakes. The disaster was
beyond our imagination and expectation. On the other hand, there was not
preparedness for it," addressing a press meet at his residence, Baluwatar,
PM Koirala said, "We are struggling and learning therefore, there could be
lapses and weaknesses but not failures."
The earthquake, worst in 82 years
has been so forceful at killing people and causing damage and destruction of
property and infrastructures which has inflicted a devastating blow to the
nation, he said.
He further added that thousands of
precious lives have been lost, thousands of people injured and
displaced. People remain traumatized following the earthquake and
recurring aftershocks.
PM Koirala
expressed condolences on the loss of lives.
Monuments
and sites of cultural and archeological importance including those listed in
the World Heritage Sites have been destroyed.
The quake caused enormous damage to
economic and social infrastructures.
According to PM Koirala, assessment
of the extent of the death, damage and destruction is being done. Government
intends to complete Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) by mid-June.
"We need data of victims for
organized distribution of relief materials and for long term planning," he
said.
Government has declared 38 of the
75 districts as earthquake affected.
PM Koirala
stressed on the need of rehabilitation of the quake affected people and
reconstruction of the damaged houses and infrastructure.
He made a
call to the international community and all the stakeholders to extend the hand
of support for the same.
"Our
people need iron sheets, tents, foods, medicines and other relief items. So, I
urge all concerned for the humanitarian assistance," he said.
PM koirala
expressed sincere gratitude to India and China for their prompt support and
solidarity with Nepalese people.
He also
thanked the SAARC countries, the United States of America, United Kingdom and
other European countries, the United Nations, South Korea, Canada, Turkey, Malaysia,
Singapore and scores of other nations for their assistance in rescue and relief
operations.
"We consider the
prompt and generous response to our appeal as an expression of our
deep friendship," he said.
He praised
the role of Nepal Army, Nepal police, Armed Police Force and civil servants for
demonstrating professional response under trying circumstances.
"Despite fragile and deficient
infrastructures in place and limited helicopter resources available, rescue
operations were quickly put in place and immediate relief measures provided on
a war footing," he said.
Speaking on a different note, PM
Koirala reiterated that in time of national crisis like this all the political
forces must be united.
He lauded the role of all political
parties in addressing the challenges posed by the catastrophe.
He underscored the need of
political stability for the economic growth and industrial development.
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