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DIPECHO PARTNERS IN NEPAL … working together, for a risk free Nepal
PRESS RELEASE
Minister launches Disaster Risk Reduction Projects Kathmandu, 19th Aug. ‘09 – Minister of State for Home Affairs Mohammed Rizwan Ansari has said that the government was committed to promote a strong disaster risk reduction (DRR) policy in Nepal to protect the rights of disaster-affected and disaster-vulnerable people. He said this while launching a comprehensive disaster preparedness projects funded by European Commission Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) under its fifth DIPECHO Action Plan for South Asia. The 3.1 million euro DIPECHO projects in Nepal aim at reducing vulnerabilities by building the capacities of vulnerable communities so as to reduce the impact of disasters on lives, livelihoods, property and to protect the dignity of people. As a part of building the local capacities, the project anticipates to build a volunteer base of over 3,000 youth who will be trained in search and rescue, first aid, emergency response and disaster preparedness. Similarly, task forces will be formed in the project areas for efficient response to calamities. Sustainable models of efficient early warning systems and small scale cost-effective mitigation models like bio-embankment, culverts, elevated hand pumps and low cost barrier-free emergency shelters will be established. The project emphases on mainstreaming people with differential vulnerabilities and will work closely with the government, donors and other key stakeholders to strengthen the national disaster risk reduction framework and disaster management policies. The EC, Under the fifth DIPECHO Action Plan, has funded eight projects, managed by ActionAid Nepal, CARE, Danish Red Cross, Handicap International, Mercy Corps, Mission East, Oxfam GB and Practical Action. The projects are implemented through local NGOs, covering 19 districts and reaching over 243,000 disaster-vulnerable people. Representatives from government, donors, UN agencies, I/NGOs, and national networks attended the function. Feron Dominique, ECHO; Dr. Govind Prasad Kusum, Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs and Dr. Chewan Namgyal Lama Sherpa, Member Secretary of SWC also spoke on the occasion. The launching of DIPECHO projects in Nepal also coincides with the World Humanitarian Day. For more information, please contact: Mr. Sten van Leuffel Mr. PV Krishnan DIPECHO Project Manager DIPECHO Project Manager Oxfam GB ActionAid Nepal Mobile: Mobile: 97510 01368 Mail: [email protected] Mail: [email protected]
www.europa.eu/echo
www.dipechonepal.org
