Interaction program on the Role of the Private Sector in International Coordination and Disaster Management.
Nov 30, 2021
The interaction program on the Role of the Private Sector in International Coordination and Disaster Management was organized by DPNet under USAID/Tayar’s Chhemata Avibridhhi (Capacity enhancement for DRR&M) on 12th Nov, 2021 on Indreni Foodland, Kathmandu. The program was organized on the occasion of the 13th annual general assembly of DPNet-Nepal. The Chief Guest of the program was Honorable Saloni Pradhan Singh, Member of National Planning Commission (NPC). The program was chaired by Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet. The welcome speech was given by Mr. Ram Prasad Bhattarai, Vice Chairperson of DPNet. The guests of the program were representative’s form NDRRMA, MoFAGA, Armed Police Force Nepal, Nepal Police Advisory Board of DPNet, AIN, SWC, USAID/Tayar, NRCS, FNCCI, and UNRCO. Altogether, 79 participants participated in the program.
Major Highlights
- Mr. Shyam Sundar Jnavaly, Executive Director of NDRC and Advisory Board Member of DPNet highlighted the role of international coordination and private sector in disaster management, saying that many resources come to Nepal for disaster risk management. He also said that the private sector has a big role in DRRM and highlighted the need for the private sector to be involved in disaster risk management as the to play in disaster risk management. It is important to have budget development in the service sector. He shared about the early warning system (EWS) and sustainable development goals (SDG). He added that the response, and preparedness should be prioritized.
- Dr. Sushil Koirala, Chairperson of Association of International NGOs (AIN) emphasized the need to work on climate change and disaster risk reduction, as well as international coordination and cooperation in disaster management.
- Dr. Dijan Bhattarai, Under Secretary of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) stating that the Government of Nepal cannot do disaster risk management alone without the support of the private sector, he said that the private sector should work together for disaster risk management. He further highlighted the relation with DPNet which is secretariat of NPDRR and hopes to work in a more coordinated manner in the coming days.
- Mr. Madhav Mulmi, Deputy Director of Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FNCCI) highlighted the important role of the private sector in disaster risk reduction and management in all 77 districts of Nepal, he discussed the contribution of the private sector in pre-preparedness, countermeasures and rehabilitation and expressed his willingness to work more closely with DPNet.
- Mr. Ramraja Bhattarai, Deputy Director of Social Welfare Council (SWC) highlighted the indispensability of coordination and cooperation between the government, private sector and international agencies for disaster management and the role that the Social Welfare Council can play in DRR&M. He also highlighted the initiatives of disaster management by SWC.
- Mr. Prem Awasthi, representative of The United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) thanked DPNet for collaboration. While discussing the importance of international cooperation, said that Nepal can learn a lot from the work done in the field of disaster management at the international level and promote the use of science and technology. He said that Nepal has been providing significant assistance in various peace missions and we should be proud of the fact that Nepal is a nation that is not only receiving international assistance but also helping the international community in disaster management so we need to redefine international cooperation in terms of Nepal not only as a recipient but also as a provider.
- Mr. Tirtha Joshi DCoP, USAID/Tayar shared about the profit related to investment in DRM. He said that DRR&M is our social responsibility. He emphasized on the need to promote private sector engagement in DRM and said that there is a need to initiate the risk transfer mechanism. He concluded his remarks stating that if we need to engage the private sector in DRM we should go beyond the limitation of corporate social responsibility.
- Prof. Dr. Bishal Nath Uprety, geologist and academic at the Department of Geology shared his experiences of working on DPNet when there were low human resources. Although DPNet is registered as a non-governmental organization, it is different from other organizations and is happy to be able to be a common network of governmental and non-governmental, national and international organizations. He also urged the NDRRMA and Government to allocate financial resources
- Ms. Renu Thapaliya Section Officer of Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA) said that disaster risk reduction should be a common theme for all, adding that she said the ministry is studying how to involve the private sector more effectively at the local level in disaster management activities.
- Mr. Kalidash Dhaubaji, DIG, Armed Police Force (APF) Nepal said that Nepal is sensitive to disaster. He shared the role of security forces in disaster management. He further added that security forces are not working for awards but while working the award is achieved itself. He said that APF is committed to work on DRR&M and also shared that APF is organizing training and maintaining social distance.
The guests congratulated DPNet-Nepal and gave major highlights about the importance of the private sector in international coordination and disaster management. It was discussed about the resources in Nepal for DRR&M. The skilled human resources should be identified and mobilized for better performance in the disaster management sector. The discussion of the program was based on the role of the private sector on climate change and disaster management. Big initiation is necessary to overcome the challenges. So there should be collaboration and coordination with the private sector and government. The DRR&M should be GESI friendly and inclusive in nature. It was concluded that the stakeholders are ready to collaborate and coordinate with DPNet for relief, preparedness and disaster management as much as possible. Honorable Saloni Pradhan Singh, Member of National Planning Commission (NPC), praised the successful work of the network to bring different organizations under one roof and said that more organizations should be considered in the coming days. She also emphasized the need for gender mainstreaming, risk mitigation and inclusion in disaster risk reduction. She said we need to focus on environment sensitive and sustainable development as the private sector has an important role to play in disaster risk reduction.
Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet thanked all the members of the general assembly and the invited personalities for their presence, and discussed the contribution made by the three members of the security forces and the esteemed persons in disaster management. He concluded the inauguration ceremony by stating that it would do its utmost to assist in knowledge management, coordination and cooperation, capacity building and policy advocacy at all levels as per the structure of the country. He finally gave a thanks vote to everyone and closed the program.
