UN won't criticise pace of rebuilding earthquake-hit Nepal

While appealing for aid to help Nepal which is struggling to rebuild after last year's earthquake, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon won't criticise the pace of rehabilitation.

"The rebuilding is extremely challenging, due in part anyway to the remoteness of the country, to the lack of funding. So, I don't think the Secretary-General is pinning any particular blame on one quarter or another," Ban's spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Monday in reply to a reporter's question if he was concerned about the slow pace of government work.

Dujarric said, "the UN and our partners are calling for more support to help people build back better and become more prepared for future emergencies. The UN is concerned that the monsoon season is expected to begin in a few months and many vulnerable families remain without adequate shelter."

Outlining the magnitude of the work still to be done, he said that about 3 million people needed help building earthquake-resistan homes according to the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

He added that according to UNICEF, many of the 1.6 million school children in the affected areas continued to study in temporary school houses.

--IANS

al/tb