DPNet Nepal Hosts 15th General Assembly
On March 15, 2024, DPNet held its 15th General Assembly at the Alpha House in Baneshwor, Kathmandu. The event was chaired by Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, DPNet Chairperson, and Mr. Anil Pokhrel, Executive Director, Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA) served as the chief guest of the program. The program was honored by the presence of officials from the government such as Mr. Dhruba Khadka, Joint Secretary, Mr. Rishi Raj Aacharya, Joint Secretary, Ms. Ranjana Rai, Section officer at Disaster Study Risk Reduction and Recovery Section, MoHA, Mr. Chandra Prakash Gharti, Mayor Bheri municipality along with DRR experts such as Dr. Bishal Nath Upreti and representatives from various organizations working on DRR.
The opening session was followed by the welcome speech of Dr. Raju Thapa and award distribution for the recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal. The Nepal Disaster Management Distinguished Award received by Mr. Mr. Chandra Prakash Gharti, Nepal Disaster Management Life Saver Award by Ms. Rama Gautam and Nepal Disaster Management Technology Award was received by Prof. Dr. Bishal Nath Uprety.
Mr. Kailash Rijal, General Secretary, DPNet acknowledged that various disasters affect people differently, given the varying contexts and levels of impact and emphasized the importance of addressing vulnerability and shifting the focus towards managing risk financing and transfer keeping in consideration the interrelation between disaster and climatic hazards.
Dr. Raju Thapa, Vice-Chair, DPNet highlighted essence of EWS in DRR giving an example of the the Android mechanism that provide alerts 20 seconds before earthquake occurs, which was also observed during the Jajarkot earthquake. He presented the major achievements of the last Executive Committee that worked from Kartik 25, 2078, to Chaitra 1, 2080 under the leadership of Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa. He provided a detailed overview of the activities conducted including 19 partnership agreements, the addition of 46 new member organizations, the formation of 4 DPNet Provincial Committees, celebration of National and International days, coordination for Meaningful Participation of Nepal in APMCDRR, Australia and facilitation for the establishment of NPDRR at NDRRMA. He further highlighted the inputs made in the 16th Periodic Plan from DRR and CCA Perspective and documentation of 127 total events. Additionally, he mentioned the regular publication of e-bulletins and dissemination of situation analysis reports of recent Bajhang and Jajarkot earthquake among a large number of stakeholders. He also gave a brief overview of DPNet’s Online Resource Center, and the VDRR platforms for knowledge management.
Mr. Kedar Neupane, Former Secretary of the Government of Nepal and DPNet Advisor expressed gratitude to the entire DPNet team. In light of the recent earthquakes, he commended the team for their efforts in facilitating coordination during the crisis. He stressed the importance of prioritizing reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts, as well as enhancing the preparedness process.
Prof. Dr. Bishal Nath Uprety, President, NCDM shared that he has been there since DPNet’s initiation and highlighted that it has become much more organized throughout the years. He pointed out the changing nature of disasters in Nepal, with increased intensity and unpredictable snowball effects leading to multiple disasters and emphasized the urgent need for Early Warning System in Nepal.
Mr. Chandra Prakash Gharti, Mayor Bheri municipality expressed gratitude for receiving award and commended the efforts made by DPNet and CSOs during the recent Jajarkot earthquake and shared his experience of prompt rescue within 24 hours. He further emphasized the need for multihazard reconstruction considering WASH and other humanitarian aspects, and concluded his remarks wishing for the successful tenure of the upcoming new executive committee.
Ms. Rama Gautam, NRCS Rukum Paschim shared her experience during the Jajarkot earthquake and the pathetic situation of households and families. She further highlighted the search, rescue and relief scenario there and stressed on the need to review one door policy to enhance effective disaster management.
Mr. Umesh Dhakal, NRCS shared the relationship between NRCS and DPNet and the coordinated efforts made in disaster, and expressed his best regards to the upcoming executive committee.
Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, General Secretary, NGO Federation Nepal extended a warm welcome to the upcoming Executive Committee and proceeded to highlight the importance of collaboration and contribution to DRR efforts. He emphasized the need for preparedness to effectively tackle challenges in the future highlighting the crucial link between CC and disasters, emphasizing the integration of these aspects into DRR strategies. This collaboration, he noted, should involve not only academia and scientists but also all individuals becoming aware and proactive. Mr. Bhattarai highlighted the active involvement of CSOs and other stakeholders in these efforts, emphasizing that by working together, diverse expertise and resources can be leveraged to enhance the collective response to disasters. He expressed readiness to collaborate and offer assistance in any way possible to achieve the shared goal of building resilient communities and mitigating disaster impacts.
Ms. Ranjana Rai, Section officer, MOHA congratulated DPNet for its 15th AGM and for being on the process of electing new executive committee and highlighted that MOHA is ever ready to coordinate and work together in enhancing DRR.
The chief guest of the program, Mr. Anil Pokhrel, NDRRMA reflected the journey of DPNet in disaster and highlighted how it has been continuously making efforts to coordinate effective DRM in coordination with concerned stakeholders. Stressing the need for DPNet in further coordination and networking he brought to light how the concept of reconstruction and rehabilitation started and stated the progress throughout the 28 years of journey. Mr. Pokhrel expressed gratitude towards the achievements of the last executive committee and wished the upcoming executive committee of DPNet for a successful tenure ahead.
Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, DPNet Chair welcomed all the new member organizations and acknowledged the valuable presence of all the participants in making this AGM successful. He expressed appreciation towards all the speakers for their recommendations for a resilient disaster management practice. Mr. Thapa expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards DPNet and reflected his journey serving as a Chair for two consecutive tenures and proceeded towards congratulating the upcoming new executive committee and wishing his best for the successful tenure.
After the inauguration ceremony, Final Session was conducted as a part of AGM. The AGM passed progress report, future plan, budget and unanimously elected the following Executive Committee:
1. Dr. Raju Thapa - President
2. Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa - Immediate Past President
3. Ms. Shakti Gurung - Vice President
4. Mr. Suraj Gautam - General Secretary
5. Mr. Harshaman Maharjan - Vice General Secretary
6. Mr. Keshab Datta Bhatta - Treasurer
Members:
7. Mr. Jaganath Prasad Kurmi
8. Mr. Dharma Lal Rokaya
9. Dr. Suresh Chaudhary
10. Mr. Santosh Neupane
11. Ms. Amika Rajthala
Additionally, as per the statue of DPNet following members becomes Ex-officio members of the DPNet Executive Committee:
12. Sher Bahadur Basnet (Sudurpaschim)
13. Hira Singh Thapa (Karnali)
14. Dharm Raj Ghimire (Lumbini)
15. Hari Bandhu Aryal (Gandaki)
16. Kamal Kumar Bishwakarma (Bagmati)
17. Nagdev Yadav (Madhesh)
Similarly, according to the DPNet Statute, there is a provision to nominate two members from INGO for the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee meeting on March 16th, nominated following two members;
18. Mr. Rabin Dahal
19. Mr. Sabin Adhikari
