Meeting on National Platform for DRR (NPDRR)
Meeting on National Platform for DRR (NPDRR) was organized by MoHA in coordination with DPNet-Nepal and UNDP on 6 th June 2018. The program was chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Mr. Prem Kumar Rai on the presence of Hon. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa "Badal". The national disaster report (NDR)-2017 was launched in the program.
Meeting on National Platform for DRR (NPDRR) was organized by MoHA in coordination with DPNet-Nepal and UNDP on 6 th June 2018. The program was chaired by Secretary of Ministry of Home Affairs Mr. Prem Kumar Rai on the presence of Hon. Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa "Badal". The national disaster report (NDR)-2017 was launched in the program.
The program was formally started with the chairing of Mr. Prem kumar Rai, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and seating of chief guest Hon. Home minister Mr. Ram Bahadur Thapa "Badal" and guests Mr. Surya Prakash subedi "Pathik", advisor of Hon. Minister, Chief of security agencies and the country Director of UNDP Mr. Renaud Meyer in the front row. Hon. Minister inaugurated the program by lighting the lamp. The program was followed by national anthem and minute of silence for the peace of people who have lost their life in various disasters in Nepal. After that Mr. Kedar Neupane, Joint Secretary and Chief of Disaster Management Division MoHA delivered welcome remarks along with the objectives of the meeting. He welcomed all participants stating that disaster risk reduction and management is the priority of Nepal and now the country has a good constitution, political stabilization and looks ahead for the implementation of DRR&M Act 2017 and other policies. He also focused his welcome remarks on the support of stakeholders in Nepal Government's campaign in DRR&M. He also shared that we have to walk together hand on hand to achieve the slogan of "prosperous Nepali, Happy Nepali. Furthermore, highlighting the importance of this meeting as a milestone for DRR&M in Nepal, he welcomed and thanked all participants for joining the program.
Major concerns of the participants
The discussion session was facilitated by Mr. Kedar Neupane, Joint Secretary, MoHA. The major concerns of the participants are as below.
1. Dr. Ganga Lal Tuladhar, Himalaya Conservation Group
Monsoon is approaching so monsoon preparedness workshop should be immediately organized. With reference to SFDRR, DRR&M Act is achievement of Nepal; we can proudly share it in international forum. Similarly, the effort of security agencies in rescue and relief is exemplary so we have to celebrate this achievement as well. For immediate rescue, there is a need of helicopters in each province.
2. Mr. Deo Narayan Yadav, Executive Committee Member, DPNet-Nepal
Due to lack of equipment and resource there were many gaps in Nepal's side in Koshi Flood response, management of equipment and resource is a challenge, so how can we overcome the challenge, strengthen DEOC and coordinate with local level. People working on strategy level concentrates on construction of dam but overlooks the way for outflow of water. Furthermore, how can we minimize the conflicts in trans-boundary Rivers.
3. Ms. Kopila Rijal
How can we ensure inclusion of GESI and excluded groups in the formation of disaster response committee? How can it be gender responsive and we often work with gender cell of Nepal Police, but how can we localize it?
4. Mr. Jaganath Prasad Kurmi
Instead of replacing policies we need to focus on implementation. How can we implement Act and policies and how can we ensure access of community people.
5. Dr. Rishi Ram Sharma, Director General, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology
Do we have the provisions of departments in DRR&M Authority, if yes, DHM would be appropriate. Agency responsible for issuing alerts during disasters is quite confusing in DRRP. Water is not a curse, we need to change our strategy it's a gift and we have to implement the policy provisions.
6. Mr. Deepak Kafle, Director General, Immigration
Emergency is international cross cutting issue, health in emergency, education in emergency are considered likewise immigration in emergency has to be considered and addressed in the policy.
7. Mr. Bishnu Prasad Kharel, Save the Children
Investment of government in DRR is too low, unless we increase the investment, we can't achieve the goal.
8. Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha, Executive Director NSET
Implementation chapter in NSAP is generic; implementation of working group in DRR in all level is confusing. We should have concrete framework and time line to accomplish the action plans. The responsibility of research is given to academic institution but we have to think about the need of research focused centre.
9. Mr. Suresh Adhikari, MoFAGA
Disasters are more likely in monsoon and we have to focus on capacity building of local level, we have to focus on relief and rescue materials in local level. Relief materials should be tangible like evacuation centre in local level.
Mr. Ram Prasad Bhattarai, Acting Chairperson of DPNet-Nepal delivering his gracious remarks
Mr. Kedar Neupane, Joint Secretary and Chief of Disaster Management Division MoHA, thanked participants for the discussion and he said that the raised concerns are noted and will be incorporated in the DRRP&NSAP.
It was a good opportunity to organize NPDRR meeting on the presence of Hon. Home Minister and representatives from relevant government agencies, I/NGO's, UN agencies, Academia and DRR experts. The program was successful in terms of wider representation of stakeholders working on the field of DRR, their curiosity, concerns and feedbacks about the DRM act, DRRP & NSAP 2017, NDR 2017. The feedbacks will be helpful in finalizing the DRRP&NSAP.
