One disaster away
Summary
Nepal’s poverty reduction has been repeatedly set back by disasters, with the Bhotekoshi flood alone pushing poverty up in affected municipalities. The editorial calls for disaster-resilient infrastructure, stronger relief and rehabilitation, and long-term economic opportunity to protect hard-won gains.
Key Points
- The National Planning Commission found poverty rose by 2.7 percentage points in municipalities hit by the Bhotekoshi flood on August 26.
- The 2015 earthquake and the Covid-19 pandemic pushed hundreds of thousands of Nepalis below the poverty line, showing how disasters deepen deprivation.
- The editorial argues that Nepal must reduce settlement and infrastructure in hazard-prone areas and build more disaster-resilient structures.
- It says relief, rehabilitation, and broader economic opportunity are essential to prevent future shocks from reversing progress.
