LALITPUR – Under the leadership of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MOFAGA) of the Government of Nepal and with the support of USAID Tayar Nepal and in technical support of the Atullya Foundation, a final draft sharing and validation workshop on the final draft of the Disability Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction Resource Book was held at the Square Hotel located in Pulchowk on the 21st of Kartik.
In the program, Asim Shrestha, UNICEF, highlighted that the policies and regulations regarding inclusive disaster risk reduction for persons with disabilities are highly relevant. However, he pointed out that the implementation of those policies and regulations poses challenges. He emphasized the necessity of focusing on local-level preparedness for disaster risk reduction and suggested that this book would significantly help in taking proactive steps within local governments. Santosh Khatri, MOFAGA, mentioned that even though the issues related to disabilities are addressed in the Constitution of Nepal, local authorities need to include them in their yearly plannings, policies and programs. He suggested that this book would be helpful in highlighting whether the local government has implemented the plans mentioned in the book and emphasized the need to streamline the key points discussed in the book regarding the relevant topics.
Former President of the National Federation of the Disabled, Nepal, Mr. Sudarshan Subedi, expressed that the subjects included in this book are highly relevant. He emphasized the book’s ability to address pre-disaster, disaster, and post-disaster situations effectively. He also expressed delight in how the book encapsulates various activities and the subject matter of the declaration letters from the past to the present.
In the program, Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson, DPNET, emphasized the comprehensive integration of profound topics within this book. He highlighted that the topics covered in the book are extremely significant in the section that local authorities can implement. He also stressed the importance of paying attention to the issues requiring legal advocacy for the sake of considerable progress.
Ms.Tika Dahal, the President of Nepal Disabled Women Association, expressed that no plans obliging the issues related to disabilities in local policies and regulations have been substantially pushed forward. She emphasized that local authorities have failed to organize statistics during disaster periods. The book aims to improve local consciousness and assist individuals affected by disabilities, including women, children, elderly, and fully disabled individuals, by addressing the subject of how to work during times of disasters.
Ms. Srijana K.C, Secretary, National Federation of the Disabled-Nepal, expressed happiness in the successful creation of the book and the way it addressed issues related to flood, landslide, fire, and other disasters. The book was deemed successful in integrating the concerns and data analysis of people with disabilities swiftly for prompt disaster response.
Merina Shah, representing IGFF suggested including mobile applications that are currently in use for reducing disability-related risks in both rural and urban areas for risk reduction.
Mr. Pallav Pant, Chairperson, Atullya Foundation, shed light on the effort put into bringing the book to fruition and urged present government bodies to contribute their suggestions and advice to ensure the completeness of the book.
Various organizations participated actively in the event, including the National Disability Association of Nepal, Nepal Disabled Women Association, Nepal Red Cross Society, UNICEF, DPO Nepal, Women’s Forum Nepal for Disaster Risk Reduction, WFDM, IGFF, Ability Forum, and more.