Nepal commemorates 27th Earthquake Safety Day with the slogan: "Lessons from the Past Earthquakes: Resilient Structures and Better Preparedness!"

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli emphasized the importance of adopting safer construction practices to enhance safety during earthquakes. Addressing the 27th National Earthquake Safety Day (ESD) organized by the Earthquake Safety Day National Orgazing Committee led by Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) on Wednesday, the Prime Minister noted that while earthquakes are unavoidable, the impact can be mitigated by constructing earthquake-resistant houses and structures.

On this occasion, PM Oli also stressed the need for effective preparedness from all sectors to ensure safety from natural disasters like earthquakes. “The current times require us to engage seriously in disaster preparedness in consultation with experts, and the government will take the lead in this initiative,” he said.

PM Oli stated that the integrated settlements rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake feature improved safety measures. He highlighted the importance of ensuring these settlements also create opportunities for employment and income generation and stressed the need to reassess strategies to address these concerns in the future. "Post-2015 earthquake reconstruction has yielded significant progress. Building on these achievements, we must focus on developing well-planned settlements and strengthening disaster preparedness for the future. The government will lead these efforts in collaboration with experts," he said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Urban Development, Prakashman Singh emphasized the need to learn from history to construct earthquake-resistant structures.  "Earthquake-resistant houses must be built to minimize the impact of earthquakes," he said. "This requires the cooperation and support of everyone." He further emphasized that the structures being built now should be strong and durable, urging full adherence to the National Building Code.

Speaking at the program, Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak claimed that the country is making progress in enhancing its disaster response capacity. Minister Lekhak highlighted that necessary arrangements have been made for the systematic mobilization of security agencies and organizations active in the disaster response sector. He also shared that trained responders are ready for search, rescue, and relief operations. “Preparations are being made to hand over emergency warehouses to all provinces by creating procedures related to their operation,” he restated.

Minister Lekhak announced that the government will prioritize the use of new technology for earthquake and disaster mitigation. "There will be no shortage of resources for this," he assured, "In the coming days, earthquake-resistant structures will be made even more effective." 

Mr. Krishna Man Dangol, Mayor of Kirtipur Municipality and Chair of the ESD Management Sub-Committee, emphasized that while earthquakes cannot be prevented, the casualties and property destruction can be minimized through proper attention to preparedness and disaster risk reduction activities.

Kirtipur Municipality hosted the 27th ESD National Meeting on January 15, 2024, at the premises of the B.P. Koirala Memorial Planetarium, Observatory, and Science Museum Development Board in Kirtipur, chaired by Mayor Dangol.

At the program, Dr. Bhisma Kumar Bhusal, Joint Secretary of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), emphasized the strict adherence to the building code and the reconsideration of construction materials to better withstand future earthquakes in Nepal. He shared the decisions from the 16th meeting of the National Disaster Council, held last Sunday, which approved plans for post-earthquake and monsoon disaster reconstruction and restoration. Dr. Bhusal noted that the council directed the Ministry of Finance to promptly allocate resources to the respective ministries, provinces, and local levels for implementing the approved plans.

Addressing the 27th ESD National Meeting, Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Representative from the Resident Coordinator of the UN in Nepal, emphasized that resilient structures and better preparedness are the strongest defenses against earthquakes. “We have absolutely no option but to work together on disaster preparedness. Resilient structures and better preparedness are our strongest defenses. While the Government has made commendable progress in disaster risk reduction and post-2015 earthquake reconstruction, much remains to be done. Western Nepal, where tectonic plates have not shifted for 500 years, demands urgent attention,” Ms. Hanaa Singer-Hamdy stated.

Mr. Machakaji Maharjan, Chair of the ESD Publicity Sub-Committee and Director General of the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), highlighted that the key lesson from the previous earthquake is the importance of reducing earthquake risk. He emphasized that constructing earthquake-resistant buildings and preparing in advance are crucial for ensuring safety during such events. 

"Building safe structures is essential to minimize earthquake risks, and for this, the full implementation of the government-issued National Building Code is necessary," Mr. Maharjan stated. He added that it is equally important to establish effective and rapid search and rescue operations and to have immediate relief assistance ready by assessing post-disaster risks.

On the occasion, Ms. Shuva Laxmi Shakya, Deputy Mayor of Kirtipur Municipality, welcomed the participants of the 27th ESD and expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to host the event in the municipality.

Dr. Ramesh Guragain, Member Secretary of ESD National Organizing Committee and Acting Executive Director of NSET, clarified the main objectives of Earthquake Safety Day programs which  such as promoting widespread public awareness about earthquake preparedness, risk reduction, and management, and earthquake-resistant construction methods; ensure no one dies from earthquakes by pledging nationally for the construction of a seismically safe Nepal and review the efforts and attempts made in the past and discuss the work to be done in the future among various stakeholders, expressing their commitment to building a safe Nepal. On the occasion he also underlined the need to continue honest efforts in Earthquake Risk Reduction based on the learnings of past events.

Prior to the National Meeting, an Earthquake Memorial Meeting was held in Kathmandu where various stakeholders, including parliamentarians, elected representatives from Metropolitan Cities, Security Forces, and professionals from various walks of social life, participated.

An Earthquake Safety Rally was also organized on the occasion of the 27th ESD. The rally, which started from the Panga Tri-junction in Kirtipur Municipality and was led by Krishna Man Dangol, Mayor of the Municipality, ended in the National Meeting. The rally saw participation from various government officials, elected representatives, and attendees from schools, colleges, the business community, non-governmental organizations, security personnel, disaster risk reduction professionals and activists, as well as local community members.

In addition, other events are being organized across the country to mark the 27th ESD.

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