Execution of Nepal Preparedness Partnership Programme Third Phase kicks off

Kathmandu, Aug 11: Nepal has been able to carry out many works in terms of policy provisions and institutional structure related to disaster management and response through collaboration among the three tiers of the government and the private sector.     

This should be emphasized in the coming days as well.     

The speakers of the National Consultation Workshop on Nepal Preparedness Programme (NPP)-III highlighted this today. The workshop is organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (NDRC).     

An assessment of the NPP-II, implemented by the Ministry and NDRC with support from Asian Disaster Preparedness Centre (ADPC) was carried out on the occasion. Information on the priorities and programmes of the NPP-III was also shared.     

The NPP-I was implemented from 2017 to 2020 and the NPP-II from 2020 to 2022 while the NPP-III will be executed from 2024 to 2026. The third phase of the NPP aims to make the local levels further stronger and capable in disaster management and resilience, to enhance the preparedness and to utilize the skills, capacity and knowledge of the community, especially women.     

It also includes topics including facilitation in reviewing and implementing whatever plans, policies and programmes there are related to disaster management, said NDRC's Suresh Thapa.     

Chief of the Disaster Management Division at the Ministry, Bhishma Kumar Bhusal and NDRRMA Joint Secretary Basanta Adhikari said that the government has kept works on disaster management, response and rehabilitation in priority as Nepal is at high risk in terms of natural hazards. They expressed confidence that implementation of the NPP-III will bring notable improvement in this sector in the coming days.     

Salini Kunwar of ADPC and Executive Director of NDRC Shyam Sundar Gyawali shed light on the NPP programme.     

NDRRMA Under Secretary Sandhya Sigdel made a presentation on the Disaster Reduction National Strategic Action Plan (2018-2030) while another Under Secretary at the Authority, Goma Chemjong on the situation of disaster in Nepal and the participation of stakeholders in mitigation of damage.     

Merina Ranjit of the Chaudhary Foundation, Bhakta Bahadur Hamal of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) on behalf the private sector, and Dr Nahakul Subedi, President of NDR Net and Dr Raju Thapa, President of DP Net on behalf the NGOs, spoke on the role and contribution of their respective sectors in disaster risk reduction initiatives.(RSS)