The problem is not just at the central level. At the local level too there is paralysis of governance. In numerous villages in earthquake-hit districts like Sindhupalchok, there is widespread contempt towards the political class. Locals in such villages state that their local political leaders have only been involved in procuring some supplies for their own relatives. The government has disbursed Rs 900,000 to each VDC for distribution.

All-Party Mechanisms (APMs) are meant to decide how to allocate these funds. In many places, however, the APMs have been completely dysfunctional. The distribution of funds has been held up due to conflicts between the various party representatives. Furthermore, the APMs have made no attempt to properly organise the relief effort.

Very few party representatives seem interested in cataloguing the damage caused to households or undertaking other such preparatory measures essential to any distribution effort.

Meanwhile, the sister-wings of political parties have been almost entirely absent from the aid distribution effort. The absence of youth wings has been conspicuous, especially given the numerous independently organised youth initiatives that have emerged over the past week.

It is not an understatement that there is a political vacuum at the local level. This vacuum is being filled by Community Based Organisations, which are undertaking the difficult tasks of cataloguing and organising distribution. If the poor performance of government mechanisms and political parties at the local level continues, this will have a major impact on the legitimacy of the Nepali state. We have repeatedly been saying that it is the state that should bear primary responsibility for the organisation of relief and reconstruction. It is the only organ that is capable of coordinating the vast effort. If it fails in its duties, numerous other organisations and individuals will step in to fill the void.

While myriad community efforts have significant strengths, without a central coordinating body their work will remain uneven and chaotic. It is a matter of urgent necessity that the government and political parties immediately recognise the gravity of the situation and start channeling resources towards it. They only have a short period of time to take grasp of the situation before it spirals out of their control.