Home Minister Ramesh Akbar has said that climate change is making natural disasters more complicated. Addressing the opening ceremony of the 3rd National Disaster Risk Reduction Conference, which started today in Kathmandu, he said that disaster risk reduction is the need of the day.
"The country is diverse from a geographical, natural and social point of view. Due to its terrain, climate and environmental structure, there is a lot of potential for natural and man-made disasters in our country," said the Home Minister. He said that it is necessary to strengthen the structures related to disaster risk reduction from the union to the local level wards.
Mentioning that the country is at a high risk of disaster risk, the Home Minister said that everyone should take initiatives to reduce the risk of disaster.
'I am confident that this conference will be important in bringing together multi-sectoral and multi-faceted partners from all over the country to analyze and prepare strategies for disaster challenges,' he said, 'Nepal is one of the most sensitive countries in the world for natural and human-caused disaster risks. It is full of diverse geography like mountains, hills and plains, which has made us rich in natural resources, but has made us sensitive to risks.'
Due to climate change, floods, landslides, lightning and other climate-related disasters, which have increased significantly in recent years, are becoming more complicated. 'The disaster has made us more sensitive to the challenges of climate change,' he said, 'our approach to disaster management needs to be multifaceted and scientific.'
The Home Minister said that community-based approach, active participation of the community is indispensable for disaster risk reduction. "At the local level, priority should be given to disaster management planning, capacity building and public awareness campaigns," he said.
The home minister said that by strengthening the technology and information system that can predict natural disasters, damage caused by disasters can be reduced. He informed that Nepal has made significant progress in policy formulation and structural reforms for disaster risk reduction and management.
