With the limited capacity and resources, Nepal alone cannot provide relief to tens of thousands of people affected by recent floods in the Southern plain. Normally, it is the international practice to call for international humanitarian support in this kind of situation.

However, Nepal’s government, which received 1million dollar from China and 2.5 million dollars from India, is yet to call for international humanitarian support even if large numbers of people are dying without safe food, shelter, and water.

According to the report, More than 6 million people are affected by the flooding and mudslides, more than a million people are displaced from their homes, 150 people have been reported dead or missing in Nepal and 2,881 homes have been partially or completely destroyed.

This disaster has also submerged crops in Nepal’s fertile southern rim, threatening to drive thousands of people into hunger.

Many western diplomats based in Kathmandu surprised government’s current reluctance to call for support. “ It is good your leaders are visiting flood-affected areas in a southern plain where next round of election is going to take place next month,” said a Western diplomat on condition not to quote.

“We have enough water storage and some money to purchase relief materials. However, we cannot provide your government without an international call from United Nations Humanitarian Agencies.

As warned by medical practitioners, there are reports of diseases broke out in many areas. The Himalayan Times reports that diseases break out in flood-hit areas. A minor died of diarrhea and another died due to snakebite in the district today.

Eighteen-month-old Aarati Safi of Aaurahi Rural Municipality died of diarrhea today. Safi, who was suffering from diarrhea since two days, took her last breath on the way to Dharan-based BP Koirala Institute of Health and Sciences. Safi was referred to BPKIHS after treatment was not possible in District Hospital, Siraha.

 Chief of District Public Health Office, Siraha, Chuman Lal Das said patients suffering from diarrhoea and the common cold, among other diseases, had increased in the flood-affected area of Aaurahi. Das said that 12 patients were admitted to the local primary health center. Das further informed that teams of health workers had been added at the primary health center where they were treating patients.

THT reports that Bhagawat Yadav, 11, of Sakhuwanrkatti Rural Municipality died after a poisonous snake bit him when he was playing with his friends in the house yard today morning.

“As Nepal’s flood affected areas shares border with India, this is reason Nepalese leaders and government is helplessly watching such a big humanitarian crisis,” said a former Nepali diplomat.”Till the completion of the visit of Prime Minister Deuba to India, nothing will happen even if there is a threat to the life of thousands of innocent people.

“We don’t need any foreign support. We can handle the crisis on our own. If someone likes to support in the crisis, they must come to us,” said Home Minister Janardan Sharma Prabhakar, who is helplessly watching such a big humanitarian crisis.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has asked all organizations and individuals willing to support flood and landslide victims to contact and coordinate with the concerned local level, District Natural Disaster Relief Committee, Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee and Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund.

“Your leaders and government can see this human crisis without any human feeling. However, our conscience does not allow us to watch this helplessly. With the decision of Home Ministry, we are not in a position to do anything either,” added western diplomat.  

As the world community celebrates the international humanitarian day, tens of thousands of people living in the southern Nepal are struggling to survive. Affected by monsoon floods, people don’t have food, shelters and drinking water.

Whatever the nature of humanitarian crisis it may be, prime minister Deuba is in no mood to take any sensitive decision without completion of his visit for international support.  

‘This is fast becoming one of the most serious humanitarian crises this region has seen in many years and urgent action is needed to meet the growing needs of millions of people affected by these devastating floods,’ said Martin Faller, Deputy Regional Director for Asia Pacific, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).