Mutual cooperation needed for disaster risk and damage reduction: Home Minister Khand

KATHMANDU, Jan 16: Home Minister Bal Krishna Khand has said that mutual cooperation is necessary for disaster risk and damage reduction.

Speaking at the 24th Earthquake Safety Day and National Earthquake Memorial Meeting organized by the Kathmandu Metropolitan City on Sunday, Minister Khand said that only coordination and cooperation of the three levels of government could reduce the risk and make the rescue, relief and rehabilitation work effective.

Related story

Home minister directs for 100% utilization of funds provided fr...

Home Minister Khand also stated that the celebration of Earthquake Safety Day has been started accordingly. Pointing out that it is important to make every physical infrastructure of the country earthquake resistant, he said, “Government and private housing should be made earthquake resistant. For that, it is necessary to impart necessary knowledge and awareness to the citizens.”

Referring to the spread of a new variant of COVID-19 (Omicron), which is spreading fast as a global pandemic, Minister Khand said that it was important to save the lives of the people from the COVID-19 disaster.

He urged the civil servants and the security forces to be vigilant in reducing the risk by adopting all public health standards. “The COVID-19 infection has affected every sector, including THE economic, social, educational and political ones,” he said, adding: “All of us should be sensitive as at present it has become fundamental to prevent COVID-19 and save people.”