News

Nepal Hosts National Symposium on Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance

October 13, 2020- Nepal marked the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction with a virtual National Symposium titled "Strengthening Disaster Risk Governance to Manage Disaster Risk." Coordinated by DPNet-Nepal and organized by the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR), the event aimed to raise awareness and enhance knowledge on disaster risk reduction (DRR). The symposium, held on October 13, 2020, brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, experts, and representatives from various agencies.

The symposium was inaugurated by the esteemed presence of Rt. Hon. Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli emphasized the importance of coordination and humanitarian efforts in DRR and management. He acknowledged the significance of the Sendai Framework for DRR in guiding effective disaster prevention measures. The Prime Minister expressed the government's commitment to DRR in Nepal, highlighting collaboration with organizations such as the Nepal Red Cross Society and NGOs. He stressed the need for resilient infrastructure, early warning systems, and an understanding of the root causes of disasters.

Hon. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa "Badal" also attended the event as a Special Guest, offering condolences to those who had lost their lives in disasters. He emphasized the importance of commitment, knowledge enhancement, and responsible action in the field of DRR. The Home Minister revealed that the government had formulated legal documents for DRR and urged all participants to contribute to the disaster recovery efforts.

The symposium featured a series of technical sessions where experts and professionals presented six papers on disaster risk governance. Dr. Ganga Lal Tuladhar, a former Education Minister and DRR expert delivered a comprehensive presentation on DRR governance in Nepal. He highlighted legal instruments, institutional provisions, coordination mechanisms, challenges, and the way forward in the field of DRR.

Mr. Rishi Raj Acharya, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, presented the Local Disaster and Climate Resilience Plan, focusing on translating national DRR priorities into local actions. His presentation covered global and national priorities, disaster risk governance, and ongoing efforts in decentralizing DRR.

Other presentations addressed topics such as humanitarian disaster governance, gender, and inclusive disaster management, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the responsibility distribution in landslide management.

The symposium provided a platform for constructive discussions and analysis of policy documents related to DRR. Participants acknowledged the existing gaps between policy implementation and disaster response on the ground. Recommendations were made to revise and improve policy documents, enhance inclusivity, and promote gender-responsive disaster risk management.

The event concluded with the Chief Executive of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority formally closing the inauguration session. The symposium successfully facilitated knowledge sharing and collaboration among stakeholders, contributing to Nepal's efforts in strengthening disaster risk governance and reducing the impact of disasters on communities.