The National Human Rights Commission has called on all parties involved in the disaster situation to act with the utmost humanitarian spirit, emphasizing sensitivity in rescue, relief, and rehabilitation efforts. Due to the continuous rainfall over the past few days, floods, landslides, and inundation in various parts of the country have resulted in the death of 192 people, with 30 missing and 194 injured, as stated in a press release on 30 September. Additionally, serious attention has been drawn to the situation where thousands of passengers are stranded in various places due to road blockages. Expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property caused by this natural disaster, it is mentioned in the statement that teams deployed from the central office, provincial offices, and provincial branch offices of the commission have monitored disaster-affected areas about relief, rescue, medical treatment for the injured, and the living conditions of the affected people.
The commission stated that after being rescued by security agencies and locals, the affected individuals were collectively sheltered in various schools, public spaces, and other safe locations within the Kathmandu Valley. Additionally, food arrangements were made for them by various organizations, private businesses, and volunteers. The press release mentions that although security agencies are working diligently on rescue efforts, the operations have not been fully effective due to a lack of sufficient rescue materials. Furthermore, despite the government’s decision to provide free treatment to the injured, the full treatment has not been offered free of charge. The Commission noted that locals have requested the removal of areas where the affected people were temporarily sheltered due to concerns about the spread of garbage and potential epidemics. Additionally, those locations faced issues with toilets, water, electricity, communication facilities, and waste management.
The commission also stated that some of the rescued people were relying on their relatives for gas, shelter, and cotton and some people were broadcasting misleading information on social media that spread psychosocial fear and panic. Although it is requested to be cautious because of the possibility of heavy rains, hundreds of people have lost their lives due to the lack of coordination, sensitivity, and rescue materials, equipment, and technology between the government agencies for immediate rescue after the disaster. Therefore, to minimize the damage caused by natural calamities, the commission has suggested taking precautionary measures in the prevention of natural calamities.
Following the disaster, the commission has called for effective arrangements for immediate rescue and relief, continued search efforts for the missing, free healthcare for the injured, and proper accommodation for those affected. Additionally, in a statement released by Dr. Tikaram Pokharel, Co-Secretary and Spokesperson of the Commission, it was emphasized that the Government of Nepal has been urged to remain vigilant against potential artificial shortages, unnatural price hikes, and the spread of infectious diseases in food and other consumables after the natural disaster.