Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Following the devastating floods in the Bhotekoshi River in Rasuwa, major political parties have made a joint commitment to disaster management, urging the government to adopt a one-door system for relief distribution, prevent politicization of relief efforts and strengthen cross-border early warning systems.
In a 10-point joint appeal issued after an all-party meeting held Thursday at Singha Durbar at the initiative of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane, the parties expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property in Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha, Chitwan, Nawalparasi and other districts. They pledged to work together, rising above partisan differences, in rescue, relief, treatment and reconstruction efforts.
The parties urged the government not to use assistance provided during disasters as a means of political publicity and called on their leaders, cadres and supporters to serve strictly as volunteers. They also urged people to provide financial assistance only through the government’s Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund or other official accounts.
The joint appeal called on people not to spread misleading information or graphic images on social media that could create panic, and urged them to share only information verified by official agencies.
Stating that climate change has increased the risk of glacial lake outburst floods, the parties urged the government to conduct scientific studies and mapping of vulnerable glacial lakes within the country. They also called for the formation of a joint scientific mechanism through high-level diplomatic initiatives to reduce risks posed by glacial lakes located on the Chinese side.
Similarly, the parties recommended institutionalizing “real-time” data sharing on transboundary river systems and developing a technology-based system to deliver early warnings of natural activities in upstream areas to downstream communities.
They called for the safe and resilient reconstruction of damaged infrastructure and demanded a zero-tolerance policy and strict legal action against those involved in black marketing, creating artificial shortages or misusing relief supplies.
The meeting also urged the government to strongly raise Nepal’s climate change-related loss and damage at international forums.
The joint appeal was signed by RSP President Lamichhane, Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa, CPN-UML General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel, NCP Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party Chairperson Rajendra Lingden, Janata Samajbadi Party (Nepal) Chairperson Upendra Yadav, Chandan Singh from Janamat Party and Druba Rai from the Shram Sanskriti Party.
