Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak Directs Immediate Measures for Disaster-Affected Citizens

Minister for Home Affairs, Ramesh Lekhak, has directed relevant authorities to adopt urgent measures to assist citizens in disaster-affected areas. During the 24th meeting of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) Executive Committee today, Minister Lekhak emphasized the importance of swift action to support residents in landslide and flood-ravaged regions including Mahottari, Banke, Kaski, Sankhuwasabha, Kanchanpur, Bhojpur, and Chitwan.

“We must prioritize the safety and well-being of our citizens in these disaster-stricken areas,” Minister Lekhak stated. He stressed the necessity of establishing protocols to manage aid from foreign organizations while ensuring national security as part of the ‘Disaster Sensitive Social Security Procedure, 2081’. The Minister highlighted the need for a streamlined approach, with a single-entry point for foreign assistance in disaster response.

Minister Lekhak urged the NDRRMA to focus on policy development rather than day-to-day administrative tasks in future meetings. “Policy-level discussions are essential for the executive meetings. Administrative consent and approval rights can be delegated to the Authority’s executive, and necessary rule amendments can be facilitated through the cabinet,” he noted.

He called on all stakeholders to engage earnestly in implementing the decisions made during the meeting. The Home Minister also received a briefing from the Authority on the impacts of the current monsoon season, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

The meeting served as a platform for discussing strategies to enhance disaster response and management, ensuring that the needs of affected citizens are met promptly and effectively.