Provincial Level Sphere Standard Sensitization Program
Dec 01, 2021
Province Level Sphere Standard Sensitization Program was organized by DPNet-Nepal on November 29th 2021. Mr. Omkar Neupane, Under Secretary of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law (MoIAL) delivered welcome remarks.
Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet-Nepal shared the objectives of the program, briefly introduced DPNet-Nepal, National Platform for DRR, Sphere Standard implication/implementation and the need of localization of the Standard. He said we have challenges in implementing the standard but the standard itself says if we cannot implement all at least we need to maintain minimum standard and provide dignified relief materials, also the service provider should be accountable while providing relief services. He also shared about the Tayar Project, its implementation in different municipalities and said that DRRM is not a separate subject, so it should be considered by all sectors for mainstreaming and collaborative effort is required for reducing the loss and damage. Furthermore, he said that DPNet-Nepal is working on preparing the Sphere drama and Sphere folk songs to sensitize public about the Sphere. He thanked MoIAL for coordination to organize this program. He also handed over Sphere Handbook to the Secretary of MoIAL.
Altogether 35 participants (3 women and 32 men) joined the program.
The opening session was moderated by Mr. Hitesh Basnet, Section Officer of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law (MoIAL).
Kali Prasad Parajuli, Secretary of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, Province 1 welcomed everyone and shared about the 3 phases of disaster, pre, during and post disaster. He said, we have been working on disaster management through coordinated way as a concurrent responsibility. He shared that the unseasonal rainfall caused lots of damage and 72 people in Province 1 lost their lives and many people were displaced. Biratnagar airport was closed for 2-3 days even though the electricity was cut off, security forces were deployed for the rescue. Furthermore, he said that Province-1 has also called a meeting with all I/NGOs working in this province, and sensitization programs have been conducted. We have decided to provide a package of relief materials to security forces to make standby relief materials to distribute quickly during a disaster. The DRRM meetings are very infrequent due to COVID. COVID management regarding the quarantine, testing tracing was done by Province-1. Treatment center without oxygen was of no work. There were lots of challenges. Even if tomorrow there is COVID crisis it will be difficult to manage, since we don’t have human resources and no ICU bed, so there are lots of challenges in a country like Nepal. We need to focus on disaster friendly work, preparedness is most, we are planning to organize cluster meetings with all concerned stakeholders. He emphasized on preparedness for unseasonal disaster events beyond the weather forecast.
Similarly, he said that an interaction program is being organized by Province 1 to 3 districts with high cases of cold wave, we will self-study the Sphere handbook and share about the Sphere Standard in that program. Thanks to DPNet-Nepal for coming to Province-1 and also requested DPNet to focus on Province-1 for DRRM programs.
Ms. Shakti Gurung, Resource Person of DPNet facilitated the technical sessions of the Sphere Standard Sensitization program. She facilitated the program using powerpoint presentation, question answer, group work and participant presentation. Her session included the information about the introduction of Sphere, humanitarian charter, core humanitarian standard, protection principle and technical chapters, food security and nutrition, WASH, Shelter and settlement and health. Her session also included the session about gender and social inclusion.
The program was fruitful in sensitizing Province Level participants about the Sphere Standard.
Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DPNet-Nepal shared the objectives of the program, briefly introduced DPNet-Nepal, National Platform for DRR, Sphere Standard implication/implementation and the need of localization of the Standard. He said we have challenges in implementing the standard but the standard itself says if we cannot implement all at least we need to maintain minimum standard and provide dignified relief materials, also the service provider should be accountable while providing relief services. He also shared about the Tayar Project, its implementation in different municipalities and said that DRRM is not a separate subject, so it should be considered by all sectors for mainstreaming and collaborative effort is required for reducing the loss and damage. Furthermore, he said that DPNet-Nepal is working on preparing the Sphere drama and Sphere folk songs to sensitize public about the Sphere. He thanked MoIAL for coordination to organize this program. He also handed over Sphere Handbook to the Secretary of MoIAL.
Altogether 35 participants (3 women and 32 men) joined the program.
The opening session was moderated by Mr. Hitesh Basnet, Section Officer of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law (MoIAL).
Kali Prasad Parajuli, Secretary of Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law, Province 1 welcomed everyone and shared about the 3 phases of disaster, pre, during and post disaster. He said, we have been working on disaster management through coordinated way as a concurrent responsibility. He shared that the unseasonal rainfall caused lots of damage and 72 people in Province 1 lost their lives and many people were displaced. Biratnagar airport was closed for 2-3 days even though the electricity was cut off, security forces were deployed for the rescue. Furthermore, he said that Province-1 has also called a meeting with all I/NGOs working in this province, and sensitization programs have been conducted. We have decided to provide a package of relief materials to security forces to make standby relief materials to distribute quickly during a disaster. The DRRM meetings are very infrequent due to COVID. COVID management regarding the quarantine, testing tracing was done by Province-1. Treatment center without oxygen was of no work. There were lots of challenges. Even if tomorrow there is COVID crisis it will be difficult to manage, since we don’t have human resources and no ICU bed, so there are lots of challenges in a country like Nepal. We need to focus on disaster friendly work, preparedness is most, we are planning to organize cluster meetings with all concerned stakeholders. He emphasized on preparedness for unseasonal disaster events beyond the weather forecast.
Similarly, he said that an interaction program is being organized by Province 1 to 3 districts with high cases of cold wave, we will self-study the Sphere handbook and share about the Sphere Standard in that program. Thanks to DPNet-Nepal for coming to Province-1 and also requested DPNet to focus on Province-1 for DRRM programs.
Ms. Shakti Gurung, Resource Person of DPNet facilitated the technical sessions of the Sphere Standard Sensitization program. She facilitated the program using powerpoint presentation, question answer, group work and participant presentation. Her session included the information about the introduction of Sphere, humanitarian charter, core humanitarian standard, protection principle and technical chapters, food security and nutrition, WASH, Shelter and settlement and health. Her session also included the session about gender and social inclusion.
The program was fruitful in sensitizing Province Level participants about the Sphere Standard.
