MAY 4 (Reuters) — Customs inspections at Kathmandu airport have been holding up vital relief supplies for earthquake survivors in Nepal, international aid agencies said on Sunday (May 3), as the death toll from the disaster eight days ago passed 7,000.
The United Nations said the Nepali government must loosen its normal customs restrictions to deal with the increasing flow of relief material now pouring in from abroad and piling up at the airport.
But the country’s government, complaining it has received such unneeded supplies as tuna and mayonnaise, insisted its customs agents had to check all emergency shipments.
Nepal’s Civil Aviation Secretary, who is in charge of the emergency center at Kathmandu airport, said only a limited amount of aid had arrived.
“International communities have sent their relief materials but the way the planes are coming and the amount is not so much big. Till yesterday 151 international planes have brought relief materials. But it has not brought the relief materials full, small amount of relief materials,” said Suresh Man Shreshtha.
Nepal lifted import taxes on tarpaulins and tents on Friday (May 1) but a home ministry spokesman said all goods coming in from overseas had to be inspected.
Shreshtha accused some countries of paying lip service to the idea of aid, bringing in planes primarily to evacuate their nationals.
“The relief materials aren’t so much significant. Their intention was, some time – not for all, some countries have – just to evacuate their citizens. So, I just checked, I had yesterday also checked the relief material. Some had just brought drinking water; obviously in weight it is heavy but tents? We need tents and blankets,” he said.
Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat appealed on Friday to international donors to send tents, tarpaulins and basic food supplies and said some of the items received were of no use.
Nepali government officials have also said efforts to step up the pace of delivery of relief material to remote areas were being frustrated by a shortage of supply trucks and drivers, many of whom had returned to their villages to help their families.
One resident at an earthquake relief camp in Kathmandu said it was a disheartening situation.
“We know that a lot of aid has come from outside but it has not reached where it was supposed to reach. It must reach the place it is meant for. There is no point in bringing it from outside and then storing it here. It should be distributed,” Shanti Basnet, said.
Army helicopters have air-dropped instant noodles and biscuits to remote communities but people need rice and other ingredients to cook a proper meal.
The government said the death toll from last Saturday’s 7.8 magnitude earthquake had crossed the 7,000 mark and that more than 14,000 people had been injured.
Customs inspections at Kathmandu airport are holding up vital relief supplies for earthquake survivors in Nepal, as the death toll from the disaster passes 7,000.
