Banke local levels sign deal for disaster management

By Siraj Khan,Nepalgunj, Mar. 11: The local governments of Banke district have signed a joint agreement for disaster management.

The agreement aims to promote coordination, collaboration and resource-sharing among all eight local governments in the district to enhance disaster risk reduction and management efforts.

According to Rupen Gyawali, information management officer at the Emergency Operations Centre, the joint agreement was signed on Monday during an inter-municipality coordination meeting on disaster management. 

The meeting focused on strengthening cooperation, exchanging experiences, and ensuring inter-municipality coordination in disaster response.

The 11-point agreement includes provisions for sharing best practices and lessons learned among local governments, providing humanitarian, financial and technical assistance between municipalities when necessary, and ensuring participation from all municipalities in disaster preparedness and response training programmes. 

It also highlights the need to update relevant municipal laws to facilitate resource-sharing and enhance disaster management cooperation.

During the meeting, chaired by Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Prashant Bista, representatives from all local levels shared updates on their disaster preparedness and management activities.

The agreement mandates that fire brigade services must be provided immediately when requested by any local government during a fire incident. 

It also includes provisions to update ambulance service records to ensure prompt response during emergencies and disasters. 

Additionally, all local governments will establish emergency operations centres to enhance disaster information systems and disaster response effectiveness. 

The agreement also outlines the establishment of a disaster management fund to mobilise resources as needed.

Furthermore, to ensure immediate relief, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts during disasters, the agreement states that essential supplies such as food, clothing, healthcare services, and temporary shelters will be stocked in advance, with cooperation from the private sector.

The agreement also addresses the widespread issue of stray animals on highways and in urban areas. 

Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality has been tasked with identifying suitable locations for their management and preparing a detailed operational modality, which will be presented at the next meeting. 

Additionally, all local governments will conduct meetings every three months in alphabetical order, starting with Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City.

During the meeting, Dipendra Shrestha, the disaster focal person of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, presented an overview of achievements and future plans for disaster management in Nepalgunj.

The meeting was attended by District Coordination Committee Chief Gyanendra Kumar Chaudhary, Vice-Chair Sita Karki, Chairperson of Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality Tapta Bahadur Paudel, Chairperson of Narainapur Rural Municipality Ishtiyaq Ahmad Shah, chief administrative officers of all municipalities, disaster focal persons, and other officials.

Concluding the meeting, Mayor Bista emphasised the importance of mutual support and collaboration during disasters, stating that inter-municipality coordination would strengthen resilience against disasters.

The Urban Disaster and Earthquake Preparedness Project is currently being implemented in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City with the support of the European Union.