Kathmandu, Sept. 13 — The government has decided to provide monthly financial assistance to families displaced by the Bhotekoshi flood until permanent housing is constructed.
According to Minister for Communication and Information Technology Bikram Tilamsina, Thursday’s Cabinet meeting decided to provide financial support to flood-affected families to cover house rent and other essential expenses during the period before they can return to permanent homes.
Under the decision, a family of up to four members will receive Rs. 15,000 per month. Families with more than four members will receive an additional Rs. 2,000 per month for each additional member.
Accordingly, a five-member family will receive Rs. 17,000 per month, while a six-member family will receive Rs. 19,000 and a seven-member family Rs. 21,000.
The government has also provided an alternative for families that do not wish to receive the monthly allowance. Such families can opt for temporary housing arranged by the government until permanent houses are constructed.
Minister Tilamsina said that forms for collecting the necessary details of affected families have already been sent to all concerned local governments. The assistance will be provided based on the information collected through the local authorities.
The government has already completed the initial assessment of damage and losses caused by the Bhotekoshi disaster. A Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) is currently underway. Based on the findings of the PDNA, the government plans to secure the necessary resources and accelerate reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
The government has said that the safe resettlement of displaced citizens, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and restoration of livelihoods in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and other flood-affected areas remain among its top priorities.
The monthly assistance is expected to provide immediate financial relief to displaced families while they wait for permanent housing and the broader reconstruction process to move forward.
