No more delay in shelter for displaced squatters

Kathmandu's Balendra Shah administration initiated the demolition of squatter settlements along riverbanks on April 25, aiming to move landless residents to permanent, safer housing. However, more than six weeks later, the promised relocation has stalled, leaving hundreds of displaced families in temporary shelters. The government's swift action in evicting residents contrasts sharply with its inaction on long-term rehabilitation and resettlement.

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The claim by the family of Bhesraj Darji, who died while undergoing treatment, that he did not get the necessary care at the shelter and that his health consequently deteriorated, raises serious concerns about the suitability of these centres for prolonged habitation.

Displaced families, housed in seven shelters across the Kathmandu Valley and Kavrepalchowk, face inadequate conditions. These facilities struggle to provide basic necessities and specialized care for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, new mothers, the elderly, children, and the sick. Reports of insufficient food, difficulties preparing infant formula, and a lack of hot water highlight the poor state of these temporary accommodations.

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So long as these centres remain under government management, the state bears full responsibility for ensuring that residents get adequate healthcare, nutritious food, education, and other essential services.

The death of Bhesraj Darji, allegedly due to a lack of necessary care at a shelter, underscores the risks of prolonged habitation in facilities not designed for long-term use. The state holds responsibility for ensuring adequate healthcare, nutrition, and education for residents. Yet, many families endure significant hardships, including long commutes for work if relocated far from their former livelihoods, adding financial and emotional strain.

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Some families evicted from Kathmandu, whose livelihoods depended on jobs located near their former homes, have been relocated to Kavre, forcing them to commute to Kathmandu daily for work.

School-going children are also affected, with enrollment in schools near temporary settlements creating anxiety about future disruptions. Parents and students fear further relocation could interrupt the academic year, forcing children to worry about circumstances beyond their control instead of focusing on their studies. The delay in providing permanent housing is becoming increasingly difficult to justify, with meaningful action long overdue.

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Many have been enrolled in schools near the temporary settlements, but the absence of a clear plan for permanent resettlement has left parents and students uncertain about their future.