Before disaster strikes Nepal
By Sanju Koirala and Shristi Shakya
Nepal is witnessing a steady rise in the Covid-19 infection cases, which is bringing the government under intense pressure and criticism. All three levels of governments are under public scrutiny for their inadequate planning and response. The monsoon havoc has worsened the pandemic’s impact. Although the monsoon was predicted to be normal this year, incidents of disasters like flashfloods and landslides remained high. For a country that has regularly suffered from water-induced disasters during the monsoon, Nepal still seems woefully underprepared.
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Take, for instance, the Monsoon Preparedness and Response Plan 2020. The plan, updated every year to manage the monsoon mayhem in the country, had incorporated Covid-19 response and management alongside.
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However, the plan was approved by the government only on June 19, a week after the monsoon had already arrived on June 12. This makes the whole process of planning seem ritualistic, with little urgency and will to implement. The fact that we are witnessing a daily spike in the Covid-19 cases, despite the implementation of Covid-19 Nepal Preparedness and Response Plan 2020 since April, shows our approach to disaster preparedness and response remains inadequate, if not flawed.
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It is imperative to shift our approach and thinking to disaster response, which remains reactive and focused on rescue and evacuation, setting up temporary shelters, and provisioning for relief measures.
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