Editorial»
Care for poor
JAN 06 - Natural disasters strike without any warning. More so in Nepal,where millions of people are routinely affected – directly or indirectly – by disasters such as landslides and floods during monsoon, heat wave during summer and cold wave during winter. Monsoon disasters in this country are the second largest killer after epidemics and claims upto 500 lives every year. Besides, the disaster wrecks and damages property worth millions. This, however, should not mean – as the country’s Natural Disaster Act 2039 and the Natural Disaster Division at the Home Ministry put it – that only earthquakes, and landslides and floods are natural disasters.
There is no limit to nature’s fury. There is more. Heat and cold waves are the other forms of disasters that routinely plague populations around the country. Last year, cold wave claimed 80 lives, and the current spell has already claimed close to 50 lives, mainly in the southern Terai belt. That figure is sure to jump given that no concerted efforts are being made as yet to change the plight of the Terai poor, who not only need awareness but also proper care and generous support. They are the ones living in a region notorious for its hot and humid weather – except during winter — and, needless to say, debilitating poverty and backwardness. For the most part, they survive merely in loin-clothes. Many fall prey to easily curable maladies such as diarrhoea and pneumonia due to lack of warm clothes to protect themselves from the biting cold. All that can, and should, change. Crown Princess Himani, the other day, distributed warm clothes to senior citizens and children suffering from cold wave at a function organised to mark the 33rd birthday of Crown Prince Paras. This is a good beginning. Individuals, corporate houses, community organisations, and most importantly, the Natural Disaster Division, as well as the local administration, need to follow suit.
It is unfortunate that the government has not yet taken cold wave seriously, though poor children and elderly people continue to fall prey to it. Considering the heavy toll it is routinely taking on the Terai populace, measures need to be in place to fight cold wave. To begin with, the government can funnel a little more resources into fighting cold wave and activate the yet dysfunctional Natural Disaster Division and local administration. Social workers and organisations will come in the scene later. Aside from warm coats, courtesy of their rich brethren, the poor citizens of the Terai region need awareness and care. That must also include medicines and paramedics, who could work to both prevent and cure cold-related maladies.
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