Karnali Province Forms Disaster Risk Reduction Task Force

Surkhet. A Karnali Province Disaster Risk Reduction Task Force has been formed to protect the lives and property of the citizens here from natural and human-induced disasters through disaster preparedness, response, and relief. The 15-member provincial task force was formed through an interaction program organized in Birendranagar by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority in coordination and facilitation of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers Office, Karnali Province Government, Surkhet.

The task force has been formed with the involvement of thematic groups, with the Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Law serving as the chairperson, informed Uttam Gautam, Chief of the Peace Security and Disaster Management Division of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers Office. According to Division Chief Gautam, the thematic 9 groups include government bodies, public and semi-public bodies, academic and research groups, donor and United Nations groups, international non-governmental groups, national non-governmental groups, business establishments and private sector groups, information, technology and communication groups, and disaster-affected groups. A coordinator, deputy coordinator, and secretary have been selected from each group.

Chief Secretary of the Karnali Province Government, Birendra Kumar Yadav, expressed gratitude, stating that the authority's team has taken the initiative to form the task force, even if it's after five years, for tasks that the provincial government itself should have done. He mentioned that it would be passed by the province's executive committee by the first week of Asar. The members of the formed thematic committee have been instructed to actively engage in disaster risk reduction and to quickly hold meetings and send reports including possible activities, actions, and meeting decisions to the Chief Minister's Office. Chief Secretary Yadav suggested keeping expert manpower at the authority itself for the procurement of disaster materials in each province.

Hastabahadur Pun, Chairman of the National Association of Municipalities Karnali Province, pointed out that there are complexities in fund mobilization and operational activities during disasters, emphasizing that the provincial government needs to prepare procedures and standards to facilitate this. He stated that relief and rehabilitation become problematic due to the inability to obtain accurate data during any disaster.

Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Pradip Kumar Koirala, said that the authority has prioritized work for Karnali Province, which is at high risk of disasters. He stated that disaster risk can be reduced through the joint efforts of the province, local levels, and all stakeholders, not just the authority's solo effort, and urged preparedness for disaster response.

In the program, Dipen's National President Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari presented on the formation process, legal basis, and proposed structure of the task force. Similarly, Deputy Secretary of the Authority, Gomadevi Dhakal Poudel, presented on the nationwide status of disaster risk, affected areas, and the authority's preparations.

The program was attended by the Secretary of the Social Development Ministry of Karnali Province, Roshani Kumari Shrestha, Secretary of the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development, Arjun Kumar Bam, and heads and representatives from government and non-governmental bodies, security agencies, development partners, the private sector, institutions, and information, technology, and communication sectors.