In an interview broadcast on AP1 HD, Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chairperson of the National Disaster Management Network of Nepal (DiMaNN), discussed Nepal’s growing disaster-related challenges and the need to strengthen disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) systems. His remarks covered climate change, international climate justice, loss and damage financing, institutional capacity, civil society engagement, and the recovery and reconstruction of disaster-affected communities. The interview highlighted the importance of moving beyond emergency response towards a comprehensive approach that integrates disaster risk reduction, preparedness, response, recovery, and reconstruction. Mr. Thapa emphasized that effective disaster management requires collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, the private sector, the media, and local communities.

Mr. Thapa noted that Nepal has suffered substantial human and economic losses from recurring disasters. Damage to physical infrastructure and disruptions to livelihoods place considerable pressure on the country’s economy, particularly given its limited resources and development challenges. He highlighted the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to climate-related hazards, including glacier melting and potential glacial lake outburst floods. These emerging risks require improved monitoring systems, effective preparedness, appropriate planning, and stronger disaster governance. He emphasized that disaster management should not be limited to responding after an event occurs. Greater attention must be given to understanding hazards, anticipating potential impacts, reducing vulnerabilities, and strengthening institutional capacities before disasters strike.

A major theme of the interview was the disproportionate burden of climate change on vulnerable countries such as Nepal. Mr. Thapa argued that Nepal faces significant human, physical, and economic losses despite its comparatively limited contribution to global carbon emissions. He stressed the importance of raising these concerns through international forums under the principles of climate justice and loss and damage. Nepal must continue advocating for appropriate international support based on the responsibilities of major emitters and the needs of climate-vulnerable countries. He also highlighted the importance of collaboration among the government, civil society, and the media in bringing Nepal’s concerns to international attention. Regarding international financing, Mr. Thapa welcomed progress towards establishing mechanisms for loss and damage support. However, he emphasized that securing funding requires credible, evidence-based proposals that clearly demonstrate the scale of losses, recovery needs, and intended use of resources. He further stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, and effective implementation to build donor confidence and ensure that international support produces meaningful results.

Mr. Thapa identified institutional capacity as a key requirement for improving disaster management in Nepal. He acknowledged the importance of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) while emphasizing the need to strengthen its human resources, technical capacity, institutional authority, and operational resources. He explained that disaster management responsibilities cannot be fulfilled by a single institution. Effective implementation requires cooperation among NDRRMA, line ministries, government agencies, provincial and local governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector. He also highlighted the need to improve policies, legislation, guidelines, and administrative procedures so that emergency assistance can be mobilized promptly and recovery programmes can be implemented efficiently. Reflecting on discussions held during disaster risk reduction-related events, he noted the importance of incorporating feedback from practitioners and civil society into legal and institutional reforms. A stronger institutional framework, supported by clearly defined responsibilities and effective coordination, is essential for improving disaster risk governance in Nepal.

Speaking from his experience with DiMaNN, Mr. Thapa highlighted the contribution of civil society organizations to disaster preparedness, response, recovery, and policy advocacy. He explained that DiMaNN works to strengthen local leadership, develop the capacities of nongovernmental organizations, facilitate coordination, and connect grassroots experiences with national-level policymaking. Civil society organizations often maintain close relationships with affected communities and can identify urgent needs, mobilize local resources, provide assistance, and communicate emerging problems to relevant authorities. Mr. Thapa emphasized that these organizations should be recognized not merely as implementing partners but also as important contributors to policy development, planning, monitoring, and institutional learning. He also highlighted the value of partnerships among local organizations, national networks, government agencies, and international stakeholders. Such collaboration can help improve the collection and dissemination of information, facilitate technical support, and strengthen the overall effectiveness of disaster management interventions.

Mr. Thapa underscored the importance of grassroots institutions, including youth clubs, women’s groups, community-based organizations, and local social organizations. These groups often understand the needs and vulnerabilities of affected households because they are embedded within the communities they serve. Their local knowledge enables them to identify people requiring urgent assistance and contribute to rescue, relief distribution, and recovery activities. He emphasized that practical experience and community knowledge are valuable assets in disaster management and should be recognized alongside formal academic qualifications and technical expertise. While acknowledging the contribution of security forces and government agencies to emergency response, he stressed that disaster management should not depend exclusively on centralized institutions. Local organizations and community networks also have an important role in ensuring that assistance reaches affected people effectively. Recognizing these capacities and creating an enabling environment for local organizations can strengthen community participation and improve the overall effectiveness of disaster response.

Mr. Thapa highlighted the importance of coordination among government institutions, civil society organizations, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, donors, the media, and community representatives. He referred to the role of national disaster risk reduction coordination platforms in bringing stakeholders together, facilitating information exchange, and supporting policy and programme development. He emphasized that civil society organizations can contribute technical knowledge, field-level evidence, training, policy advocacy, and implementation support. Their experiences can help identify gaps in existing systems and inform improvements in government policies and practices. At the same time, he stressed the need for accountability among organizations receiving public or donor funding. Appropriate financial records, annual audits, reporting, monitoring, and compliance with relevant procedures are essential to ensure that resources are used for their intended purposes. Effective coordination must therefore be accompanied by transparency, clearly defined responsibilities, and mechanisms for monitoring results.

Mr. Thapa highlighted the media’s role in communicating the needs of disaster-affected communities and bringing their concerns to the attention of decision-makers. He emphasized that reporting should extend beyond official statements and central-level discussions. Journalists and media organizations should visit affected areas, interact directly with communities, and document the actual conditions of affected households. Such engagement can help reveal gaps in relief distribution, recovery assistance, and reconstruction programmes. Accurate and responsible reporting can also encourage government agencies to respond more effectively to local needs. He further highlighted the importance of direct engagement between political leaders, government representatives, local governments, and affected communities. Such interaction can improve communication, strengthen coordination across levels of government, and support more responsive decision-making.

Another important issue raised during the interview was the need to ensure that disaster assistance reaches genuinely affected households. Mr. Thapa emphasized that beneficiary identification and recommendations for financial support must be based on verified information, actual losses, and established eligibility criteria. Local governments have a particularly important responsibility in this process. Ward representatives, municipal leaders, and local disaster management committees should help identify affected households and verify their circumstances. He stressed that decisions should be impartial and should not be influenced by political pressure, personal interests, or inappropriate considerations. Coordination between local, provincial, and federal authorities is necessary to improve verification, monitoring, and accountability. Accurate assessments and fair beneficiary selection help prevent misuse of public resources and ensure that vulnerable households receive the assistance they need.

Mr. Thapa argued that recovery and reconstruction should extend beyond rebuilding damaged houses and infrastructure. Disasters frequently disrupt livelihoods, education, healthcare, access to drinking water, employment, and other essential services. For households dependent on agriculture, small businesses, daily wages, or other vulnerable income sources, the loss of a home may be accompanied by a broader economic crisis. Rebuilding physical structures alone may not be sufficient to restore their living conditions. He emphasized the need for a holistic recovery approach that considers housing, livelihoods, education, health, water and sanitation, employment, and other basic needs. Particular attention should be given to poor and vulnerable households, which may struggle to recover without targeted support. Recovery programmes should be informed by the actual circumstances of affected families and designed to reduce their vulnerability to future hazards. This approach would help ensure that reconstruction contributes not only to restoring damaged assets but also to strengthening livelihoods, resilience, and long-term well-being.