KATHMANDU: An all-party meeting focused on disaster risk reduction and management was held today at the call of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane.

Bearing in mind the fact that Nepal is at high risk of natural disasters, the meeting has drawn the conclusion that policy-level coordination among all three tiers of government, parliament, state bodies, political parties and stakeholders is necessary for the reduction and effective management of disaster risk in the sustainable disaster.

It has been unanimously decided to continue the existing ‘high-level political mechanism’. Rastriya Samajwadi Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane will be the coordinator of this mechanism while the other members of the mechanism will be representatives of top and important leaders from Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist), Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Labour and Culture Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, JSP Nepal and Janamat Party.

Likewise, an all-party parliamentary special committee would be formed for disaster risk reduction and management.

Learning serious lessons from the Bhotekoshi disaster, it has been decided to form an all-party parliamentary special committee within a week to provide clear policy roadmap and strategic action framework to the government to prevent possible loss of lives and property from such disasters within a week.

The committee will coordinate with the government, parliament and stakeholders on the long-term course of action that the state should adopt in the context of rebuilding sustainable post-disaster infrastructure, disaster preparedness, strengthening early warning systems and strong climate diplomacy. The committee will also be responsible for reviewing existing laws related to disaster management and taking the initiative in Parliament to formulate necessary laws.

A decision has been made to request the Speaker and the Federal Parliament on behalf of all the political parties present in today’s meeting for initiation of the entire process and necessary management.

The meeting was attended by top leaders and representatives of Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Nepal Communist Party (NCP), Labour Culture Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal and Janamat Party. Finance Minister Dr. Swarnim Wagle was present on behalf of the Government of Nepal.