First Provincial General Assembly of DPNet Koshi Province Committee Concludes in Biratnagar
The first provincial general assembly of the DPNet Koshi Province Committee was held on 19 March 2025 in Biratnagar, bringing together DPNet member organizations engaged in disaster risk reduction and humanitarian work across the province. The program strengthens the province’s collective efforts toward disaster preparedness and resilience building.
Dr. Raju Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet, attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Harsaman Maharjan, Vice General Secretary of DPNet, also joined the assembly as a guest from the central office in Kathmandu. Both emphasized the importance of provincial-level coordination in the effective implementation of disaster risk reduction initiatives and inclusive humanitarian response.
During the assembly, the new DPNet Koshi Province Committee was selected through a consensus-based process under the leadership of Sita Sharma. The elected team includes Durgananda Chaudhary as Vice Chair, Kumar Chudal as Secretary, Joseph Soren as Vice Secretary, Kamala Basnet as Treasurer, and Matrika Subedi and Raj Kumar Risal as Members. The assembly also announced plans to establish a provincial-level resource center to support training, research, and innovation in the disaster management sector. Additionally, the committee committed to facilitate for the multi-stakeholder platform on disaster risk reduction, named the Provincial Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (PPDRR), to strengthen collaboration and advocacy at the provincial level.
Speaking on behalf of the central office, Harsaman Maharjan acknowledged the efforts made by the Koshi Province team and encouraged the newly elected members to build strategic partnerships and explore funding opportunities to sustain and expand their impact in the field of disaster risk management.
The general assembly concluded with remarks from Chief Guest Dr. Raju Thapa. In his address, Dr. Thapa highlighted the growing need for locally-led mechanisms and inclusive structures to respond to the increasing risks posed by disasters and climate-induced hazards in Koshi Province. He encouraged the newly formed committee and member organizations to work collaboratively, foster innovation, and actively contribute to building community-level resilience. Dr. Thapa also reiterated DPNet's commitment to support provincial structures through knowledge-sharing, capacity building, and policy engagement, and handed over a laptop to the province to support online data management and coordination. The event ended with a renewed commitment from all participants to strengthen disaster governance, promote inclusive practices, and enhance provincial capacity for preparedness and response. Participants expressed optimism about the newly formed committee’s leadership and its role in advancing DPNet’s mission at the provincial level.
