‘Government committed for effective earthquake response’

KATHMANDU: The government has expressed its commitment to ensure immediate rescue, treatment, relief and rehabilitation to the earthquake survivors.

Issuing a press statement today, spokesperson of the government, Rekha Sharma said Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal  himself has already taken proactive initiative for rescue, treatment and relief after reaching the affected areas.

Sharma, also the Minister for Communications and Information Technology, made the commitment not to leave any stone unturned in connection with the rescue, treatment, relief and rehabilitation of the earthquake survivors from the information and communications sector.

Recalling that it is the shared responsibility of all to impart accurate and factual information through mass media and social media at the time of crisis, Minister Sharma extended gratitude to all media workers reporting the natural disaster risking their lives.

The earthquake that occurred on Friday night with its epicenter at Barekot rural municipality-1, Ramidanda in Jajarkot has caused huge loss of life and property, stated the press release.

Paying heartfelt tribute to the deceased in the tragic moment, she extended deep condolence to the bereaved families.

The government spokesperson also wished for speedy recovery of the injured.

Minster Sharma also expressed grief over the earthquake-triggered damage to some of the media.

The ministry has directed its subordinate agencies to deliver service in a routine and patient manner, impart authentic and truthful information and also support in the rescue, treatment and relief operations in the critical time.

Likewise, the Ministry has appealed to the private sector service providers to bear the social responsibility and extend possible support from their end.

Minster Sharma informed that the Nepal Telecommunications Authority in consultation with service providers has reviewed the effects of telecom service due to the earthquake. Minister Sharma further shared that no telecom service has been disrupted in the earthquake-affected areas.

The Ministry has directed the service providers to stay stand-by for service delivery being cautious of possible aftershocks, reads the press release.

Likewise, the Ministry has taken necessary decisions to further activate emergency telecommunications call center to further ease the delivery of telecom services in the earthquake-ravaged sites.

The state-owned Nepal Telecom Limited has offered free phone call, message and data service for five days at the request of the Ministry with a view to supporting the service delivery to the survivors, rescue workers and general public in the affected areas.

Ncell, the private sector telecom service provider, has also contributed Rs 5 million in the relief fund and offered free call and data amounting up to Rs 4 million.