Mock disaster drills in community, school levels held

By Siraj Khan, Nepalgunj, Jan 22: Mock disaster drills have been conducted at the community and school levels in Nepalgunj with a view to raising public awareness about earthquake safety.

The drills were organized by Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City in coordination with the District Disaster Management Committee, Banke, and with the support of the Urban Disaster and Earthquake Preparedness Project (SUPER Program). The mock drill was carried out at the premises of Ward No. 3 office.

Organized on the occasion of Earthquake Safety Day, the programme saw active participation from community leaders, who took part in the simulated disaster exercises.

According to Dipendra Shrestha, Disaster Focal Person of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, the drills demonstrated actions to be taken before, during, and after an earthquake.

The mock exercise sequentially showcased the stages of search, rescue, relief, and rehabilitation.

The SUPER Program, currently being implemented in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City, has been working on disaster preparedness and response with financial support from the European Union and in partnership with UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women, and HI, along with technical support from CDM Nepal and the Red Cross.

Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City stated that the SUPER Program has been providing essential feedback, technical assistance, and support in coordination, collaboration, and facilitation.

Mayor Prashant Bista of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City said that as Nepalgunj lies in a high earthquake-risk zone, preparedness and response activities are being carried out in a planned manner.

 He added that the support of the SUPER Program has made these efforts more effective.

On the occasion, Chief District Officer of Banke Dil Kumar Tamang, Chief Administrative Officer of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City Ramhari Sharma, Ward No. 3 Chairperson Mo. Ayub Siddiqui, among others, observed the mock disaster drill.

With the support of the SUPER Program, more than 400 disaster volunteers have been trained in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City.

Additionally, for the first time in Nepal, Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City has implemented a housing insurance program. Under this program, housing insurance is provided after assessing damage to houses caused by earthquakes.

According to Gorkha Bahadur Thapa, Chief of the Education Section, mock disaster drills related to earthquake risk reduction are also being conducted in schools of Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City as per the decision of the District Disaster Management Committee.