New Executive Chief Takes Charge at National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority

Kathmandu. Newly appointed Executive Chief of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, Dr. Dharamaraj Upreti, has assumed office. 

Taking charge at the office in Singhdarbar on Friday, he expressed his commitment to prioritize the reconstruction following the Jajarkot earthquake and the restoration of disaster-related damages in various parts of the country. 

Immediately after assuming office, Executive Chief Upreti signed a decision regarding the commencement of reconstruction for 188 households in Jajarkot. He stated that while acknowledging the positive work done by the previous leadership, he would now accelerate the work for citizens awaiting reconstruction. 

Speaking about the reconstruction in Jajarkot, Upreti said, ‘The reconstruction of houses damaged by the Jajarkot earthquake, in particular, had been long awaited. Previously, the authority, especially under the leadership of Pradip sir, had completed important preparatory work.’

He further added, ‘Respecting their contributions, today I have signed the decision to commence reconstruction for 188 households. With this, I announce the formal start of reconstruction in Jajarkot.’

He clarified that the reconstruction efforts would not be limited to Jajarkot alone, stating that restoration in areas affected by landslides in Ilam, and floods in Roshi Khola and Nakkhu Khola would be intensified. 

Executive Chief Upreti has put forward a plan to change the old style of being active only after a disaster occurs, and instead, to increase investment in preparedness in the coming days, with the goal of ‘preventing disasters from happening’.

For this, he informed that the early warning system would be expanded, local and provincial governments would be mobilized, and the technical and human capacity of emergency centers in all 753 local levels would be enhanced.

Stating that Nepal's internal resources alone would be insufficient to face the challenges of disaster management, he said, ‘Since Nepal's internal resources will not be sufficient to address the current and future challenges of disasters, priority will also be given to international cooperation and mobilization of financial resources.’

Regarding climate finance, he mentioned a plan to strengthen coordination between the Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Home Affairs and establish the authority as a focal point for ‘Loss and Damage’. He stated that the proposal submitted by the Government of Nepal to the United Nations' ‘Loss and Damage Fund’ would be effectively followed up, and the concept of a ‘Disaster Learning Center’ would be advanced.

Expressing concern over the increasing multidimensional risks such as flash floods, glacial lake outburst floods, cold waves, and dust storms, Upreti said that collective efforts from all ministries and departments are necessary to mitigate them. Upreti, a climate expert active in the field of climate-induced disasters for two decades, clarified his commitment to inter-agency coordination and cooperation.