DPNet Holds Dialogue with Transport Entrepreneurs on Monsoon Preparedness and Response During Dashain Festival
Kathmandu, Oct 3 – With heavy rainfall forecast to coincide with the Dashain festival (October 4–6), the DPNet organized a virtual dialogue on October 3 to strengthen monsoon preparedness and response in collaboration with transport entrepreneurs. The session brought together officials from National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the National Federation of Transport Entrepreneurs of Nepal, News Agency Nepal (NAN), and other disaster management actors. Dr. Raju Thapa, Member Secretary of NPDRR, facilitated the discussion. The dialogue was prompted by last year’s Jhyapaphle Khola incident and aimed to prevent similar disasters during this festival period
NPDRR and Humanitarian Partners call for unified cross sector Disaster Preparedness and Response
Kathmandu, Oct 3 – As Nepal braces for heavy rainfall coinciding with the Dashain festival from October 4 to 6, in support of DPNet, National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) organized a virtual dialogue on October 3 to discuss monsoon preparedness and response. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), the Association of International NGOs Task Group on Disaster Management (AINTGDM), Social Protection Civil Society Network, Nepal (SPCSN), humanitarian agencies, and other disaster management actors. The session was facilitated by Dr. Raju Thapa, NPDRR Member Secretary and Chairperson of DPNet.
DPNet convenes post Zen Z movement dialogue on heat and fire risk, recovery policy, and rapid assessments
Kathmandu, Nepal, Oct 3 — In the wake of the recent Zen Z movement, DPNet organized a focused dialogue on heat and fire risk, post shock assessments, and recovery governance. The program was chaired by Dr. Raju Thapa, Chairperson and facilitated by Suraj Gautam, General Secretary of of DPNet. Participants included officials and experts linked to NDRRMA, MoUD, the National Planning Commission, engineers, heritage managers, and civil society representatives. The discussion centered on tightening technical standards, clarifying mandates, and speeding up field assessments without compromising safety.
DPNet Holds Emergency Meeting on Gen-Z Movement Crisis
Kathmandu, Sept 9 - DPNet held a special online meeting to address the humanitarian risks arising from the Gen-Z movement that began on September 8. The session, attended by board members and advisors, opened with condolences for lives lost and wishes for the recovery of the injured. Participants highlighted cascading risks beyond political unrest, including possible shutdowns of essential services, looting, vandalism, and worsening humanitarian crises. Opinions differed on whether DPNet should issue a public response: some favored a neutral humanitarian appeal, while others recommended waiting to assess the situation further. The meeting ended with an agreement to continue deliberations with the executive committee later the same day, with Chairperson Dr. Raju Thapa underscoring DPNet’s responsibility as a collective platform and as the NPDRR secretariat.
Nepal marks World Humanitarian Day with call for locally led response and Good Samaritan protections
On August 19, 2025, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) marked World Humanitarian Day in Kathmandu with support from DPNet, NSET, NEAR Network, UN agencies, and NGOs under the theme “Strengthening Global Solidarity and Empowering Local Communities.” Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak inaugurated the event, stressing regional cooperation, local leadership, and stronger municipal capacity. Key highlights included the Asia-Pacific localization movement, the Kathmandu Covenant, and a call from DPNet Chair Dr. Raju Thapa for a Good Samaritan law to protect community responders - a proposal welcomed by the government. Speakers emphasized that most rescues in Nepal are led by local actors, reinforcing the need for investment in preparedness, volunteer training, and supportive legal frameworks.
Second DRR Dialogue with the Home Minister Held
On 1 August 2025, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), in coordination with DPNet, convened the second national dialogue in Singhadurbar, Kathmandu to assess institutional and policy reforms for DRRM in Nepal. Chaired by NDRRMA Chief Executive Er. Dinesh Prasad Bhatt and attended by Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Ramesh Lekhak, the forum gathered senior government officials, political leaders, UN agencies, experts, and DRR stakeholders. Discussions focused on governance structure, legal and regulatory gaps, financing, data systems, capacity challenges, and implementation of existing policies. The Home Minister endorsed the series and called for a strategic, long-term vision for NDRRMA, improvements in early warning systems, and integration of non-state actors, while welcoming actionable reform recommendations.