Karnali Province Establishes Provincial Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Surkhet, 11 June 2026: The Provincial Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction Platform in Karnali Province has been established to strengthen coordination, collaboration and partnership among government agencies, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders working in disaster risk reduction and management across the province.
The platform will be chaired by Laxmi Kumar BK, Secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers of Karnali Province. It comprises the coordinators of nine thematic groups, while the Provincial Coordinator of the Disaster Preparedness Network Nepal (DPNet Nepal) will serve as the Member Secretary.
Birendra Kumar Yadav, Chief Secretary at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, attended the formation programme as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Pradip Kumar Koirala, Chief Executive of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA); Roshani Kumari Shrestha, Provincial Secretary at the Ministry of Social Development; Engineer Arjun Kumar Bam, Provincial Secretary at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Urban Development; and representatives from various ministries and stakeholder organisations.
During the interaction programme, Uttam Gautam, Under Secretary and Disaster Focal Person at the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, delivered a presentation on the objectives of the platform and the current status of disaster risks and disaster management in Karnali Province.
Similarly, Goma Devi Dhakal Paudel, Under Secretary at NDRRMA, presented the Authority’s major activities and achievements in disaster risk reduction and management.
Dr. Basanta Adhikari, President of DPNet Nepal, presented the roles, responsibilities and future direction of the newly established platform. He expressed confidence that the platform would play an important role in strengthening multi-stakeholder coordination and collaboration while enhancing disaster resilience at the community level.
The programme brought together representatives from government agencies, public and semi-government institutions, academic and research organisations, development partners, United Nations agencies, international and national non-governmental organisations, the private sector, information technology and communication organisations, and disaster-affected communities.
The newly established platform aims to improve coordination and collaboration in disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation initiatives, contributing to a safer and more disaster-resilient Karnali Province.
