A nine-member Nepalese Needs Assessment Team visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Shri R.K. Jain, Member, NDMA, welcomed the delegation and explained India’s institutional framework for Disaster Management. The National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP), launched by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, earlier this year and its holistic approach towards Disaster Management spelling out the roles and responsibilities of all levels of Government was also discussed.
NDMA also made a presentation highlighting India’s experience in post-disaster reconstruction in the backdrop of major disasters since 1993. The presentation emphasised upon owner-driven reconstruction, minimum relocation of the affected population, use of local raw material and availability of trained masons and structural engineers to ‘Build Back Better’.
NDMA also explained the modalities of rolling out large-scale mitigation projects such as the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) and National School Safety Programme (NSSP) in a federal structure.
Sharing their experiences during the last year’s earthquakes, the Nepalese team appreciated India’s role in rescue, relief and reconstruction efforts. As disasters don’t respect any boundaries, the importance of coordinated efforts among nations towards mainstreaming Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) was highlighted.
“Interactions like these are an opportunity to share experiences related to disaster situations that may be useful to each other,” said Shri Jain.
The Nepalese delegation was led by Maj. Gen. Binod Kumar Shrestha, Director General of Military Operations, Nepal. Their visit to NDMA is significant as Nepal is on its way to reconstruct itself after the massive earthquake that shook the country last year.