CNI and NSET sign MOU to reduce disaster risks in Nepal

NSET has joined hands with Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI)  by signing an MOU to work together in reducing disaster risks in Nepal especially to bring private sector stakeholders in disaster risk reduction process and make the Nepalese business community disaster resilient, amid an MOU signing ceremony function organized by CNI at its office on Friday, 25th April 2014 in the presence of Senior Government Officials, CNI and NSET representatives, Representation from US Embassy, Private sector stakeholders and media people.  The MOU has been signed and exchanged by Mr. Narendra Kumar Basnyat and Mr. Shiva Bahadur Pradhanang, Presidents of CNI and NSET respectively in the presence of Mr. Surya Silwal, Home Secretary and Chief Guest of the program.

The Chief Guest of the program,  Mr. Surya Silwal, Secretary for Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of Nepal made his remarks by expressing his happiness to be present at the MOU signing function to witness both institutions' commitment to work together for reducing disaster risks of Nepal and helping the Government in this regard.  He also expressed his happiness over a good initiation taken by CNI and NSET and ultimately helping the Government to be the part of DRR process.  He mentioned that private sector's involvement in DRR process is also a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility and the Government's witness in this partnership has opened doors to others to do the good works.  He told that Government can collaborate with many other institutions interested to work on DRR. He also mentioned that partnership would give positive message to all stakeholders that disaster preparedness beforehand to mitigate the risk and reduce the loss is better than waiting for a big disaster and also encourage all to come forward to DRR process.  He also told that Government is also a part of the country and it's necessary for every sector to take responsibilities to work towards DRR. 

Ms. Brett Jones, Director, Disaster Risk Reduction Office, US Embassy mentioned that United States spent 6.6 billion dollars in Haiti for immediate rescue and relief but she said that, it is better to spend even a one dollar for preparedness, this could be save minimum 9 to 15 dollar in the future that is  the very good strengths for risk reduction efforts.  She told that such a good financial strength can be utilized prior to major disasters rather than waiting for a huge requirement of money after the major earthquakes here in Nepal.  She expressed her happiness to be working with NSET for last 20 years,  and to see the partnership initiation starting with CNI.  She also expressed her belief that DRR partnership efforts will be carried out in the best interest of the all of the businesses and wished every success for future endeavors.

CNI President, Mr. Narendra Kumar Basnyat said that CNI as the main body of Nepalese private sector firmly believes that helping to empower the people and enhancing the capacity of the local communities and employees in the industries in terms of disaster preparedness and management through trainings and raising awareness which would be effective means to mitigate the effects of earthquake and other natural disasters in the country.  He also mentioned that CNI through its Citizen Relief Fund under its CSR has been helping various sectors at the time of disasters. He expressed his happiness to join hands with NSET to work together on earthquake/disaster risk reduction activities.

Dr. Amod Mani Dixit, Executive Director of NSET highlighted on the areas of collaboration with CNI and made his remarks by saying that working through a federation would bring the wider level participation of the private sector stakeholders in disaster risk reduction.  He told that NSET would provide technical assistance to CNI to raise awareness on earthquake risk and need for preparedness among its networking and the communities as well, and also provide trainings for capacity development whenever needed.  He highlighted the role of private sector in economic development and need of their disaster preparedness in terms of the business continuity even after the big earthquake or other disasters. Dr. Dixit mentioned that MOU opens the door to provide mutual professional assistance to the ongoing programs of each institution by other and to work together to develop new programs for supporting disaster risk awareness, capacity enhancement, and to promote public private partnership for earthquake disaster risk management in Nepal.  He expressed his happiness to have MOU signing ceremony in the presence of Home Secretary, Government of Nepal as well as Director of DRR Office of US Embassy.

Mr. Hari Bhakta Sharma, Senior Vice President of CNI made his closing remarks and gave  vote of thanks to all the invitees being present at the function and made commitment that CNI would closely work with NSET to reduce the earthquake risk and increase the level of disaster preparedness of private sector. He mentioned that Nepal lies in the highly seismic zone and there is a need to train the workforce in the private sector to reduce the risk and to make sure of less impact to the industrial sector in case of a big disaster.  He also told that certain physical destruction will be there during the disaster but reducing the human loss will be primary concern for all.  He told that CNI will work with NSET to raise awareness on earthquake risk and increase the level of preparedness of private sector stakeholders.

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