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Dhanusha, 24 June 2026: The Provincial Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (PPDRR) was formally established in Madhesh Province through a one-day multi-stakeholder interaction programme held in Dhanusha District.

The programme was organized by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Communications and Law, Madhesh Province, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), and Disaster Preparedness Network Nepal (DPNet Nepal). The event was facilitated by DPNet Nepal with support from World Vision, Plan International, Mercy Corps Nepal, and Save the Children.

More than 133 representatives from provincial and local governments, security agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, United Nations agencies, academia, the private sector, media, community groups, and disaster-affected communities participated in the programme.

The platform was formed under the chairpersonship of Mr. Ganesh Nayak, Acting Provincial Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Communications and Law, Madhesh Province. The DPNet Madhesh Province Coordinator will serve as the Member-Secretary of the platform.

Mr. Kamal Bhattarai, Chief Secretary of the Office of the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers, Madhesh Province, attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Mr. Pradeep Kumar Koirala, Executive Chief of NDRRMA, participated as Special Guest.

During the programme, Mr. Suresh Sunar, Under Secretary at NDRRMA, presented the objectives, structure, and importance of the provincial platform. He explained its connection with Nepal’s disaster risk reduction policies, legal frameworks, and the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Mr. Suraj Gautam, General Secretary of DPNet Nepal, presented the role of the PPDRR and emphasized the importance of extending multi-stakeholder disaster risk coordination mechanisms from the national to provincial and local levels. He also facilitated the formation of nine thematic groups representing government agencies, semi-government institutions, academia, development partners, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, the private sector, media, and disaster-affected communities.

Thematic coordinators, deputy coordinators, and member-secretaries were identified and nominated to support sectoral coordination, knowledge sharing, preparedness, and response activities.

Addressing the programme, Mr. Pradeep Kumar Koirala emphasized that disaster risk reduction and response cannot be managed by government institutions alone. He encouraged thematic groups to remain proactive, coordinate through established disaster management mechanisms, and ensure that disaster-related information and damage data are properly verified.

He also called for greater investment in prevention and preparedness rather than fragmented and publicity-focused relief distribution.

Chief Guest Mr. Kamal Bhattarai highlighted the need to strengthen preparedness for floods, inundation, heat waves, drought, and other hazards affecting Madhesh Province. He emphasized that disaster risk reduction is a shared responsibility of government, civil society, the private sector, development partners, and communities.

The formation of PPDRR Madhesh Province is expected to strengthen provincial disaster risk governance, improve coordination among stakeholders, and support risk-informed planning. The platform will also contribute to monsoon preparedness, verified disaster information management, resource mapping, public awareness, and coordinated disaster response.

The programme recommended preparing and endorsing a provincial operational guideline, finalizing the membership of thematic groups, developing a monsoon preparedness and response matrix, and convening the first formal meeting of the platform.

The newly established platform represents an important step towards building a safer, more coordinated, and disaster-resilient Madhesh Province.