The government of Nepal has not spent anything on reconstruction after its deadly earthquake four months ago nor has it even made any arrangements to receive the $4.1 billion promised by international aid organisations and governments.
An estimated 10% of the population is still in need of food, shelter and basic medical care, according to the UN, which believes that nearly three million survivors require help. Many of them live in remote mountain villages which are difficult to reach.
Tens of thousands of people are reported to be living in plastic tents, in congested areas with no drains and muddy paths. Mosquitoes and flies pose health risks.
The two earthquakes in April and May took the lives of nearly 9,000 people. Even though earthquakes had been expected, the country did little to prepare.
Nepal has now come under renewed criticism for failing to act after the damage was done.
The government is not likely to start spending money until October at the earliest because of planning approval delays and concerns about reconstruction work during the monsoon season, said the chief of the National Reconstruction Authority which was created recently.
Govind Raj Pokharel added: "The government's response has been slow. I accept that."
He said government ministers still had not agreed aid distribution and rebuilding plans. Instead it had concentrated on creating new regional boundaries which, the government says, will help reconstruction in the long run, but has resulted in deadly clashes.
"The government needs to get going," said the country’s UN Coordinator. "The next big challenge is to ensure that people living in tents are prepared for the winter."
