All Municipalities Equipped with Emergency Warehouses for Disaster Response

The Ministry of Home Affairs has established emergency warehouses in all municipalities across the country to ensure swift disaster response. These warehouses are equipped with essential materials to aid communities during emergencies.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, involving key disaster management authorities, including the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Provincial Disaster Management Committees, District Disaster Management Committees, and Local Disaster Management Committees. The collaborative approach aims to enhance the effectiveness of disaster risk reduction and response efforts.

Joint Secretary and spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ram Chandra Tiwari, informed that the Nepal Police will receive support to strengthen the capacity of the municipal police, following requests from various local bodies. The ministry is also focusing on collaborative policy programs and infrastructure development to address rising security challenges, including drug abuse, suicide, road accidents, and cybercrime.

To streamline the police integration process, the Home Ministry plans to coordinate with provincial governments for necessary legal amendments and administrative preparations. Spokesperson Tiwari highlighted that the peace and security situation across the country has been thoroughly analyzed, and a report containing decisions and recommendations from the meeting will be submitted to the National Coordination Council.

Minister Lekhak stated that the transfer of emergency warehouses to the provincial governments has already begun in Karnali and Sudurpaschim provinces. He emphasized the need for close cooperation between the provincial and local governments to expand this initiative to other provinces and ensure the operational readiness of warehouses at the municipal level.

The meeting saw participation from key officials, including Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Pandey, Sudurpaschim Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Hira Sarki, Bagmati Province Minister for Internal Affairs and Law Suraj Chandra Lamichhane, Nepal Municipal Federation President Bhim Prasad Dhungana, National Federation of Rural Municipalities President Laxmi Pandey, Home Secretary Gokarna Mani Duwadi, Inspector General of Police Deepak Thapa, Inspector General of Armed Police Raju Aryal, and NDRRMA Executive Chief Dr. Dinesh Bhatta. They shared insights and suggestions for better coordination and preparedness in disaster management.