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Nation comes together in relief efforts

9 October 2009

The government has allocated Nu 3 million for disaster relief and reconstruction after the September 21 earthquake. But the amount falls short of the estimated cost of relief and reconstruction.
To expedite compensation for and reconstruction of damaged homes, the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpoen has initiated His Majesty’s Kidu Fund. Ministries, corporations, NGOs, private businesses, international organizations, various associations, groups and individuals are contributing to the kidu fund.
According to the Royal Office for Media, His Majesty’s kidu fund currently stands at Nu 6.5 million.
Reassuringly, the disaster relief and reconstruction efforts have brought the nation together. Students and teachers of Phuentsholing Lower Secondary School have delivered 200 packages of food and drinks to Narang Primary School and Durung Extended Classroom, the two worst affected schools in Mongar, with messages of solidarity.
Bajrang Agarwal, an Indian businessman in Phuentsholing, who has made substantial contributions to relief efforts, said, “It is sad to hear about the people of eastern Bhutan being hit by an earthquake.
Having been in Bhutan since 1968, I feel it is my duty to contribute to the service of the nation.” Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited has initiated a fund collection from staff, which will be donated to the Gyalpoi Zimpoen’s office in Trashigang.
With the Department of Revenue and Customs of the Finance Ministry announcing full tax reduction for 2009 for voluntary contribution to people’s welfare fund, more contributions are expected. “We hope that this special arrangement will encourage more people to contribute,” said an official from the Finance Ministry. “This is our urgent recourse. It cannot wait.”
Meanwhile, quake victims in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag have received relief supplies from both within the dzongkhag and dungkhag administrations as well as from external sources. The dzongkhag administration and Nganglam dungkhag administration provided tarpaulin sheets, carpets, rice, salt, and vegetable oil to the victims.
Relief supplies from outside the dzongkhag included tarpaulin sheets, mats and carpets, blankets, clothes, rice and helmets. In Mongar, the worst affected dzongkhag, the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpoen has issued about 15,000 kg of rice, 4,000 tarpaulin sheets, and 197 mats to the earthquake victims besides blankets, tents, plastic buckets, kitchen utensils and food items like tea and salt.
As of yesterday evening, Trashigang victims received 4,000 kg of rice, 1,500 tarpaulin sheets, 22 camping tents, and 200 blankets, among others. According to the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpoen in the dzongkhag, the relief supplies are increasing.

Bhutan Earth quakeThe government has allocated Nu 3 million for disaster relief and reconstruction after the September 21 earthquake. But the amount falls short of the estimated cost of relief and reconstruction.

To expedite compensation for and reconstruction of damaged homes, the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpoen has initiated His Majesty’s Kidu Fund. Ministries, corporations, NGOs, private businesses, international organizations, various associations, groups and individuals are contributing to the kidu fund.

According to the Royal Office for Media, His Majesty’s kidu fund currently stands at Nu 6.5 million.

Reassuringly, the disaster relief and reconstruction efforts have brought the nation together. Students and teachers of Phuentsholing Lower Secondary School have delivered 200 packages of food and drinks to Narang Primary School and Durung Extended Classroom, the two worst affected schools in Mongar, with messages of solidarity.

Bajrang Agarwal, an Indian businessman in Phuentsholing, who has made substantial contributions to relief efforts, said, “It is sad to hear about the people of eastern Bhutan being hit by an earthquake.

Having been in Bhutan since 1968, I feel it is my duty to contribute to the service of the nation.” Royal Insurance Corporation of Bhutan Limited has initiated a fund collection from staff, which will be donated to the Gyalpoi Zimpoen’s office in Trashigang.

With the Department of Revenue and Customs of the Finance Ministry announcing full tax reduction for 2009 for voluntary contribution to people’s welfare fund, more contributions are expected. “We hope that this special arrangement will encourage more people to contribute,” said an official from the Finance Ministry. “This is our urgent recourse. It cannot wait.”

Meanwhile, quake victims in Pemagatshel Dzongkhag have received relief supplies from both within the dzongkhag and dungkhag administrations as well as from external sources. The dzongkhag administration and Nganglam dungkhag administration provided tarpaulin sheets, carpets, rice, salt, and vegetable oil to the victims.

Relief supplies from outside the dzongkhag included tarpaulin sheets, mats and carpets, blankets, clothes, rice and helmets. In Mongar, the worst affected dzongkhag, the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpoen has issued about 15,000 kg of rice, 4,000 tarpaulin sheets, and 197 mats to the earthquake victims besides blankets, tents, plastic buckets, kitchen utensils and food items like tea and salt.

As of yesterday evening, Trashigang victims received 4,000 kg of rice, 1,500 tarpaulin sheets, 22 camping tents, and 200 blankets, among others. According to the Office of Gyalpoi Zimpoen in the dzongkhag, the relief supplies are increasing.

By Jigme Wangchuk, Tempa Wangdi and Gyembo Namgyal

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