Nepal parties agree to allow all to distribute relief supplies

KATHMANDU: Amid mounting criticism over the shoddy handling of relief supplies, Nepal's three major political parties today agreed to allow anyone to distribute the materials to the victims of the devastating quake that has killed over 7,000 people.

Senior leaders of the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML and the UCPN (Maoist) held a meet at Prime Minister Sushil Koirala's residence here to discuss the delay in relief support to the victims, especially in remote areas.

Nepali Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba said the three parties reached an agreement to allow anyone to distribute relief materials as per the need in quake-hit areas but with due attention to avoid any duplication.

Today's decision comes despite the government's insistence on ensuring that distribution of relief materials take place through a 'one-door' system.

Deuba said as the distribution of relief materials via the 'one-door' system was getting delayed, interested parties can now distribute the materials with government's coordination.

CPN-UML vice-chairperson Bidya Devi Bhandari said matters relating to rescue, relief, resettlement and reconstruction work were also discussed during the meeting.

She said it had been difficult to reach to remote areas devastated by the 7.9-magnitude quake because of geographical complexity, but insisted things were gradually improving.

The alleged shoddy handling of relief work has triggered frequent criticism of the Nepalese government and quake victims have confronted Prime Minister Koirala and other officials over the issue.

The decision to allow everyone to distribute relief materials also comes in the wake of concern raised by some Leftist leaders over increasing foreign intervention in the country on the pretext of distributing relief materials.

The quake, Nepal's worst in over eight decades, has claimed the lives of more than 7,000 people, while the number of those injured has reached 14,227.

At least 38 Indians were among the 54 foreigners killed in the quake. Forty eight foreigners, including 10 Indians, were injured.