Program Review and Closing Workshop of “Mero Surakshit Gaun” held in Kailari and Babai Rural Municipality

Program Review and Closing Workshop of Technical Support for Resilient Communities (TESREC) or “Mero Surakhit Gaun”  program was held in Kailari Rural Municipality on August 22, 2022, amidst the presence of municipality Chair, Deputy Chair, municipality staff elected officials/ward chairs of Kailari rural municipality, and official from MOFAGA, USAID/BHA and NSET. During the event, key activities conducted in Kailari Rural Municipality under “Mero Surakshit Gaun Program” were shared with the municipal officials. Mr. Suman Pradhan, Program Manager made the presentation on the program outcomes.

Mr. Thagu Ram Chaudhary, Ward Chair-4 and Ward level DMC coordinator in his remarks mentioned that the awareness level of the residents of Kailari RM on disaster safety and earthquake resistant construction was very low before but now due the intervention of the program the awareness level has increased.  He further added that the community of Mohanpur are now trained on emergency response, and this has to be replicated to every other community/tole of Kailari RM.

Bir Bahadur Ayer, Chief Administration Officer, Kailari RM stressed that the municipality will build on the learnings and change that has been made through the NSET and USAID/BHA Mero Surakshit Gaun Program. There has been a remarkable change in the municipality in terms of building code implementation and multi hazard risk assessment and planning he added.

Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha, Executive Director of NSET handed over the documents (Risk Atlas of Kailari Municipality, Catalogue of Model Buildings, Building Code implementation procedure, MultiHazard risk Assessment Report etc.) of Kailari that were prepared through the program. 

The municipality also presented ‘Letter of Appreciation’ to NSET for supporting the municipality towards making the communities disaster resilient. 

Mr. Santosh Gyawali, AID development program specialist of USAID highlighted the importance of the program interventions and the developed plans.  He further stressed that “The process has been established, required documents are there, capacity has been enhanced, so let’s not wait for others, we have to develop our own community. Let’s start from within us.

Mr. Shekar Nath Dahal, Junior Officer, MOFAGA appreciated the initiatives of the program towards making the community resilient. He further requested the municipality to carry on the learnings and continue the activities further and assured the municipality that MOFAGA will be always there to support in this great initiative. 

Ms. Bhagwati Kumari Chaudhary, Vice Chairperson, Kailari RM in her remark thanked NSET and USAID/BHA for building the capacity of the municipality through the program and further committed that the municipality will take this forward towards sustainability.

The closing workshop was followed by a visit to the Model village Mohanpur where the program had conducted various activities to make the community disaster resilient. One of the activities was the establishment of Community Disaster Preparedness and Learning Center (CDPLC) in the community which will serve as a learning hub where local people will have access to basic information regarding local hazards, disaster risks, measures to risk reduction, preparedness and   response and enhance their knowledge on DRR.

A formal inauguration and handover of the CDPLC took place on the same day. The Learning Center was inaugurated by Mr. Raj Samajh Chaudhary, Chairperson of Kailari RM. 

Mr. Chairperson in his remarks expressed his gratitude towards NSET and USAID/BHA for supporting the highly vulnerable community of the municipality and further committed that the municipality will take this initiative forward and continue the support even after the project ends.

Suman Kumari Chaudhary, Chairperson, Disaster Risk Management Committee Mohanpur mentioned that "We are now better prepared for flood disaster and thank the Mero Surakshit Gaun program for supporting us with this learning center, emergency equipment and building our capacity It is through the orientation, trainings and simulation practice that we are able to all work together as a community, and while we still are fearful for our homes, we know there is more courage and unity between all of us." 

To be better prepared for a flood disaster we are reaching out to our government for a permanent structure to be at less risk." 

Community member Sunil Kumar Chaudhary stressed, "What we required was guidance. As a community we are now stronger together to keep ourselves, our land and houses safe. The involvement of our political leaders has highlighted the urgency of Mohanpur’s persistent problem, which also brought in support from organizations like NSET. Thanks to which we have understood the value of being trained and skilled." 

The floodwaters of Mohana River compel the residents of Mohanpur to take refuge across the border at Dudhwa National Park of Uttar Pradesh in India every year, as their area is surrounded by the river from three sides. The monsoon flooding, leaves Mohanpur isolated and disconnected from the rest of Nepal as their wooden bridge is swallowed by the river and their only mode of transport is a boat, which becomes life-threatening when the river swells up.

As part of the program, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the river training activities has also been developed for Kailari Rural Municipality. Based on the report developed by NSET, the Rural Municipality will carry out the construction activities.

Program Review and Closing Workshop in Babai Rural Municipality

Similarly, on August 23, 2022, Program Review and Closing Workshop of Mero Surakhit Gaun program was held in Babai Rural municipality. The workshop was participated by Municipality Chair, Deputy Chair, municipality staff elected officials/ward chairs of Babai rural municipality, and official from MOFAGA, USAID/BHA and NSET.

During the event, key activities conducted in Babai Rural Municipality under Mero Surakshit Gaun Program were shared with the municipal officials. 

Chief Administrative Officer of Baibai Rural Municipality, Mr. Mukti Nanda Rawal in the event highlighted, “We need to focus on pre-disaster rather than post disaster. NSET has been helping our municipality in this regard through training, awareness raising, Help desk etc. We are now committed that our buildings will be earthquake resistant.

 Gallery

Media Room

NSET Publications

Gallery