According to Mahato,an immediate relief package consisting of a six-member family tent, two mattresses, blankets, pillows, towels, raincoats, rice, lentils, beaten rice, edible oil and salt. The relief package will be distributed to families in various affected districts through the networks of NRNA and Patanjali Yogpith Nepal. “We cannot bring back those who lost their lives, but it is our responsibility to do whatever possible from our ends to lessen the pain of those who lost their loved ones,” said Mahato at a press meet organised to announce the relief measures.  

“Rs 120 million will be spent for reconstruction of earthquake-resistant school buildings in highly affected regions,” he said, adding that suitable locations for schools will be selected as per the recommendation of Nepal Government and concerned authorities.

Pvt sector comes forward

Criticised for not showing prompt response, the country’s private sector has finally started making moves to support the victims of the massive earthquake that rocked the nation on April 25.

The Khetan Group had already donated Rs 100 million in the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund. NRNA President Shesh Ghale and IME Group have already announced Rs 20 million each for the fund.

On Saturday, entrepreneur Ajay Sumargi pledged relief aid of Rs 50 million. According to him, Rs 10 million will be donated to the PM’s Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 25 million for the construction of community buildings, one each in the 12 affected districts. The remaining money will be used to provide tents to 6,000 families and foodstuffs. “We have started our distribution from Bungmati, Kathmandu,” Sumargi confirmed.

Buddha Air has pledged 3,000 sacks of rice and the equivalent number of tarpaulin through the Alumni Association of Budhanilkantha School. “We have already distributed 1,000 rice sacks and 1,000 tarpaulins to quake victims in Barabishe, Sindhupalchwok,” said Buddha Air MD Birendra Bahadur Basnet.

Biz bodies’ relief effort

The Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), in a joint initiative with 22 various organisations and individuals, has been providing relief to earthquake victims.  Stationed at Bhrikuti Mandap in the Capital, FNCCI’s Operation Relief programme is working to distribute required tents, floor mats, foods and materials, medicines, sanitizers, as well as mobilise hundreds of volunteers and health workers in the quake hit regions in and outside Kathmandu Valley. “Rather than just depositing it to the PM’s fund, we have taken up the initiative to provide relief materials by ourselves,” Pashupati Murarka, officiating vice president of FNCCI said.

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) said it is distributing at least 9-10 metric tons of essential commodities and over 55,000 bottles of mineral water each day in the affected areas. “We were the first to reach with help in certain areas of Sindhupalchwok and Ramechhap,” said Hari Bhakta Sharma, senior vice president of CNI. “We are coordinating with the government in six districts to provide relief.”

Two NRIs offer 12,00 houses

KATHMANDU:  Two billionaire NRIs have offered to build 1,200 quake-resistant houses in the affected villages, the Nepali Embassy in London said. Mukesh Kumar Sehgal, managing director of UK-based SISMO Company, offered 1,000 quake-resistant houses during a visit to the embassy on Friday.

Sehgal told Chettri that his company is well experienced in building houses with new technology and if Nepal government accepts the offer, he will start construction of houses in remote areas that are severely hit.

NRI Shree Prakash Lohia also offered to build 200 houses through his Lohia Foundation.