As reports of natural calamities -- inundation, landslides, windstorm, flood -- in this monsoon season come in a large scale, the Home Ministry, which is responsible for providing rescue and relief to victims of disasters, now on will prioritize disaster prevention measures in a bid to minimize the affects of natural disaster as part of long term plan, said a ministry official. Citing the country's worst natural disaster-prone districts and difficult terrain in carrying out rescue and rehabilitation, the Home Ministry official underscored the need to focus on pre-disaster measures, including disaster preparedness, mitigation and creation of strong legal framework. "The Home Ministry was mainly focused on post-disaster packages, but the ministry now on will prioritize pre-disaster programs as well," said Thir Bahadur GC, under-secretary and head of Natural Disaster Control Unit at the ministry, adding that it would work hand in hand with local stakeholders and organizations in this connection. Admitting that the ministry has not been able to relocate and replace all victims of natural disasters "due to lack of single umbrella organization to look after this matter and limited resources", GC said all concerned ministries need to work together to ensure relocation of victims, reconstruction of damaged infrastructure, prevention of health hazard, arrangement of embankment, and coordination with donor agencies among others. With implementation of the new Natural Disaster Prevention and Management Act, which is yet to be ratified, the concept will materialize, he informed. Lack of temporary shelter houses, difficulties in transportation of relief materials, lack of tools and technology for damage assessment and lack of skilled manpower are said to be taking heavy toll on human lives. This year, according to him, the ministry has established focal desk, instructed Natural Disaster Rescue Committee stationed in all districts to be alert and to ensure pre-positioning of food, and standby team for search and rescue operation. Posted on: 2008-07-14 03:47:52 (Server Time)