In a  meeting held recently in Janakpur, the National Disaster Management Network of Nepal (DiMaNN), under the leadership of Surya Bahadur Thapa, held a dynamic  conversation with Hon. Ram Ashish Shah, Speaker of the Madhesh Provincial Assembly, on the current and future DRRM scenario of Nepal and the role of province in DRRM.

The discussion focused on the evolving role of the provincial government in disaster preparedness, DRR governance, and the implementation of the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2017. Participants emphasized the province’s critical responsibility in coordinating between federal and local governments to ensure seamless DRRM and risk mitigation.

Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of DiMaNN, underscored that provinces hold a transformative role in institutionalizing DRR at all levels. He highlighted the importance of integrating disaster preparedness into development planning, empowering local authorities, and strengthening community-level capacity. Mr. Thapa stressed that sustained collaboration between all three tiers of government, CSO/NGOs, and local volunteers is essential for building a disaster resilience Madhesh Province and by extension, a resilient Nepal.

Hon. Ram Ashish Shah appreciated the insights shared by DiMaNN and reaffirmed the Madhesh Assembly’s commitment to supporting DRR initiatives, strengthening DRR governance, and mobilizing resources to enhance resilience across the province.

All the participants agreed that strong partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and adherence to DRR policies and legal frameworks are essential to safeguard communities from disasters.