More than Rs 5.20 billion has been collected in the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund within eight days to support the rescue and relief of victims of the devastating Bhotekoshi flood.
As of 5 pm on Wednesday, the Fund held a total of Rs 7.376 billion. According to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, the Fund had Rs 2.17 billion before the disaster, meaning that Rs 5.206 billion in new contributions was collected during the eight-day period.
The contributions include donations received from individuals, organizations and foreign countries for rescue and relief efforts. Of the total, contributions from various countries amounted to US$7.158 million, equivalent to approximately Rs 1.88 billion.
Following the Bhotekoshi flood, the Disaster Relief Fund Operation Committee decided to immediately release Rs 1 billion for the affected areas. The amount has been transferred for mobilization under the leadership of the Home Ministry Secretary and will be used for immediate rescue, relief and temporary accommodation for flood victims.
Under the Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund Operation Regulations, the Fund can be used for rescue operations, emergency relief, temporary shelters, food, clothing, medicines and medical treatment for disaster victims. It can also support funeral expenses, rehabilitation, repairs to damaged homes and livelihoods, as well as disaster preparedness and public awareness programmes.
However, the regulations prohibit the use of the Fund for salaries, allowances, travel expenses or other benefits for government and non-government employees, as well as for purposes unrelated to disaster response and recovery.
