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The virtual discussion program on Short term and Long term Program in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) was organized jointly by DPNet-Nepal, Bagmati Province and Province Affairs Committee on Sept 10, 2021. The program was started with the Chairpersonship of Hon. Mr. Madhav Poudel, Chairperson of Bagmati Province and Province Affairs Committee. He shared about the current status and provisions followed by background of disasters,  disaster risk reduction and management in Bagmati Province. The program was facilitated by Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet. Ms. Luna Khadka, Program Coordinator of DPNet in her opening remarks introduced about DPNet and USAID/Tayar Nepal- Capacity Enhancement for DRRM project. She said that one of the main objectives of the project is to strengthen NPDRR and DPNet is working on various sectors of disaster. Tripurari Bakhrel from Bagmati Province delivered the welcome remarks and program information about the objectives of short term and long term programs in disaster risk reduction and management.  Altogether, 76 participants joined the webinar.

Major Highlights
Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet gave a presentation about Short term and Long term programs for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM). He highlighted the disaster status of Nepal. Nepal falls in 20th topmost disaster prone in the world, 4th rank in climate change vulnerability, 11th rank in earthquake vulnerability, 30th rank in water induced disaster vulnerability, Kathmandu valley is exposed to high risk among 21 megacities in the world. He shared about the disaster status of Bagmati Province from 1971 to 2018. In this 47 years, In Nepal 41006 people have lost their lives in which 15000 are from Bagmati Province. The Hilly and Mountain region of this Province are more vulnerable to disaster. Makwanpur district is highly vulnerable to lightning. The major recurrent disasters in Bagmati Province are flood, landslide, earthquake, fire, hailstone, windstorm and lightning. He highlighted the Legal provisions, Policies, Acts and Schedules related to disaster management. He shared the causes and effects of the disaster in Bagmati Province. He suggested the way forward to mitigate disaster risk by analyzing gaps, shifting the risk houses and villages, providing relevant funds, increasing the emergency response system, mobilizing skilled human resources, work on research and case studies related to disaster and so on.

Major Discussions

• There are many legal provisions, laws, regulation and policies regarding disaster risk reduction and management are formulated. But these need to be executed effectively to achieve the expected results.
• Province governments and local governments should take the lead in disaster risk reduction and management. It can be easy in addressing the local disasters and work in fast track.
• The discussion highlighted the need additional hydro-meteorological stations for risk monitoring, early warning and saving lives Hazard and risk mapping should be done and take actions to reduce risks through resource mobilization and collaboration.
• Province government need to analyze the capacity and focus for effective implementation of national DRR strategic action plan 2018-2030. 
• Compensation  mechanism for loss and damage should also be the priority of provincial government- mainly to get compensation from developed world.
• The National Early Warning System should be prioritized more to reduce the effect of disaster on humans.
• Impact based forecasting needs to be expanded to community level, NAP and NDC to be linked with provincial policy and plan. The plan largely talks about disaster, and post disaster, but needs to give more emphasis on anticipatory actions, which means more investment in anticipatory actions to minimize DRR.
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion(GESI) should be prioritized while planning and making decision for  DRRM

Review and Closing

Hon. Dr. Rajendraman Shrestha, Coordinator of Short term and Long term program for Disaster Reduction and Management Sub-Committee,  Bagmati Province   appreciated the presentations, inputs and discussion of the program. He shared the problems at the Province level regarding disaster risk reduction and management. He added that these types of programs and initiatives should be organized more frequently and brought into action. Considering the inputs and suggestions, he concluded to discuss further in a small team and finalize the program.  
Hon. Madhav Poudel, Chairperson of Bagmati Province and Province Affairs Committee in his closing remarks said that the Province will work effectively for disaster risk and reduction. He added that these types of programs should be carried out in other provinces as well. Finally, he  thanked everyone for their active participation, inputs and successful execution of the program and closed the program.