Kuensel Newspaper - Initial insurance assessment completed

Haa Fire Update 22 November, 2009 - A team from the royal insurance corporation of Bhutan limited (RICBL), Haa dzongkhag officials and local leaders has begun to assess the damage caused by the November 18 fire that gutted three houses and partially burnt another in upper Haa town.

All the houses affected by the fire were insured under the rural insurance scheme,” said Heruka, RICBL’s field officer based in Paro.

According to the team’s recommendations Nu 100,000 each will be paid to the owners of the houses that were completely burnt down. One of the houses was jointly built and owned by two brothers, who hold different gungs or house numbers. The one house that was partially damaged by the fire has been recommended to get Nu 60,000. Another house suffered a damaged wall and is recommended to get Nu 15,000. “This isn’t final and a field survey engineer will reassess the damage and our recommendations,” said Heruka.

Apart from rural insurance, Rekhi, who lost everything to the fire, also insured his house under two different schemes. Rekhi, who took a loan from the bank of Bhutan, (BOB) and had to insure the building for more than Nu 2.4 million. He also insured the stock of goods in his shop for Nu 600,000, said Heruka.

Heruka said, according to the rules, people will be compensated only if their belongings are burnt and damaged by the fire, but not if it gets stolen.

According to the RICBL officials, a detailed investigation will be carried out by the survey engineer after which a claim form should be filled up by the owners and sent to the RICBL office for verification. If insured, the office will then estimate the cost for reconstruction and pay back according to the rule, said officials.

Meanwhile, the families that were made homeless have been asked by the dzongkhag authorities to look for temporary housing. “Until such time, the dzongkhag will look after them,” said Haa dzongda Karma Weizer.