One month has passed since the first 7.9 magnitude quake struck Nepal . Though the earthquake directly affected six million people, one-fifth of the total population, in reality, it affected the entire Nepali population whether they be inside or outside the country.

At this moment of crisis, engaging in a blame game will not help anyone. Let us forget what went wrong yesterday in delivering relief assistance to the right people at the right time and at the right place. Instead, let us discuss what must be done today, learning from past mistakes and weaknesses, to make Nepal a better, brighter, and more prosperous country in the near future. The government has already initiated a post-disaster needs assessment with the help of local communities, and established a Nepal Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Fund to mobilise and channel resources through a ‘one door’ funding policy whilst relief assistance will continue to be funded through the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

Rehabilitation and reconstruction work is not business as usual. It’s a massive operation that needs to be carried out on a war footing. Therefore, let’s not talk about what the incumbent government can do to deliver services. We must talk about country’s necessities and an avenue to rehabilitate 6 million people and reconstruct the country.

New government, funds

First, a national unity government must be formed and led by a competent and experienced leader, who should have support from the other political parties. The incumbent government must resign immediately to pave the way for a unity government. It is the right time for the ailing prime minister to allow a competent leader to drive the nation forward. I recall both Shekhar and Shashank Koirala stating after January 22—the unmet deadline for constitution writing—that PM Sushil Koirala should resign on moral grounds. Recently, several political leaders have also demanded a unity government. Considering the

PM’s ill health and his advanced age, he should be allowed to take rest. If he insists in continuing in his post, the nation should ask him to retire with dignity and grace on health grounds.

Second, as huge amounts of capital and human resources are required to build new Nepal, the government is considering establishing an $2 billion fund and to convene a donor conference next month to raise contributions. The government has decided to put in 10 percent of this fund itself and several bilateral and multilateral partners, including UN agencies, have announced their initial pledges. In addition, the government could negotiate with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to issue a Non-Resident Renewal bond of approximately $500 million against the foreign remittances coming into Nepal annually. Such funds have been created in a few African countries in order to raise immediate emergency funds.

Migrant skills, money

Third, the Nepali government should also negotiate with the governments of Gulf countries, Malaysia, South Korea, and others to return migrant workers on a voluntary basis, as they constitute crucial human resource for reconstruction works.

Fourth, the government should encourage foreign investments by removing bureaucratic barriers and hurdles at the ministry and ground levels, including security, especially for foreigners. Ratifying and implementing the Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements with India and China should be concluded without delay. At the same time, the signing of double taxation agreements with major countries where the Nepali population is high is also important.

Further, there is a need to regulate the utilisation of the money collected in the PM’s Disaster Relief Fund along with cash spent through the newly-formed National Reconstruction Consultation Committee. The government may consider adopting regulations to reward and punish government employees as per their performance. Moreover, hire and fire policies should also be regulated in manufacturing industries as well as productive and service sectors. One way to do so would be through a regulation that allows only one labour union in each factory. Further, employee unions in the government, semi-government and private institutions, such as health, education, and tourism, should be banned. It is a shame that multiple unions in ministries, the Nepal Rastra Bank, hospitals, and universities are based on party affiliation.

Hard lessons

At the district level, the Chief District Officer (CDO) should be made responsible for overall coordination of relief assistance as well as rehabilitation and reconstruction works. The National Reconstruction Consultation Committee shall oversee the management of rehabilitation and reconstruction works whilst the Nepal Army and/or Armed Police Force can be given responsibility of logistics and communication. An advisory committee comprising of members from local political parties can be formed in order to ensure local representation.

In the aftermath of April 25, we learnt the cost of being complacent the hard way, even though we knew of an impending quake. This time, let us use the limited time available before the monsoon starts.

Udas is the founder of the Non-Resident Nepali movement