KATHMANDU: Coordinator of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that all political forces should stand together to face natural calamities. Speaking at an all-party meeting called by Rastriya Swatantra Party President Rabi Lamichhane, Prachanda said that the focus should be on search, rescue and relief by rising above political prejudices during the disaster.

Stating that the nature and impact of recent floods, landslides and other natural disasters are becoming serious, Prachanda said that it should not be taken only as a normal natural disaster. He said that scientific, technical and policy studies are necessary to reduce the risks related to climate change, increasing risk in the mountainous region and changing natural conditions.

However, he said that the primary responsibility at present is to save the lives of the citizens. He stressed the need to formulate a common action plan with effective coordination among the government, political parties and stakeholders for search, rescue, treatment, relief and rehabilitation.

Prachanda said that cooperation should be made with neighboring countries and the international community to make the disaster risk and early warning system effective in the Himalayan region. He also said that the issues of climate justice, compensation and international cooperation should be strongly raised for the Himalayan countries suffering from the effects of climate change.

Prachanda said that political differences should be kept aside for some time during the disaster and move forward with national unity. He made it clear that his party would fully support and cooperate with the government to resolve the crisis created by the Bhotekoshi flood in Rasuwa.

He said that the party leaders and cadres have been instructed to coordinate with the government bodies and mobilize in rescue, relief and assistance works. Prachanda said that everyone should make a common resolve in the time of disaster, “No one should be alone in the disaster, there should be no delay in rescue and relief and no citizen should be left out of the reach of the state.” ”