Lalitpur:Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Sobita Gautam, has committed to amending existing laws and policies to facilitate the construction of geography-friendly and safe infrastructure aimed at reducing disaster risk.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Minister Gautam expressed this commitment during the inauguration of the Fifth National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction. She emphasized the importance of heeding disaster warnings from experts, especially in light of recent major floods in Nepal, which have highlighted the need for reform.
Minister Gautam noted that over the past 15 years, natural events have repeatedly signaled the potential for unexpected disasters. She referenced warnings from disaster experts about Nepal’s vulnerabilities, which were underscored by the recent floods in Rasuwa, forcing the government to take these warnings seriously.
She stressed that while disasters are natural occurrences, the extent of loss and damage is often influenced by human actions, policies, and infrastructure. During her speech, she highlighted the need to revise the development framework to account for Nepal’s geographical challenges and increasing disaster risks, advocating for enhanced resilience in infrastructure.
Minister Gautam also mentioned the challenges faced during rescue and relief efforts following the devastating floods in the Rasuwa-Trishuli system on August 26, including the inadequate number of mortuaries. She pointed out that the government, guided by World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, ensured legal provisions for the safe inhumation of bodies through a Council of Ministers meeting.
Finally, she emphasized the lessons learned from disasters, underscoring the necessity for prompt decision-making during emergencies while considering legal provisions and social sensitivity. The Minister assured that future legal revisions would address issues such as the declaration of missing persons, property, family relations, and other rights in disaster scenarios.