Nepal's Deputy PM visits NDMA headquarters

Nepal's Deputy Prime Minister Bimalendra Nidhi on Friday visited the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) office here, where he was informed of India's experience in tackling natural disasters in the past.

Nidhi's visit to the NDMA along with senior Nepal officials acquires significance since the Himalayan country is in the process of reconstruction in the wake of a huge earthquake in 2015.

The NDMA under the Ministry of Home Affairs aims to coordinate responses to natural and manmade disasters and capacity-building in disaster management and crisis response.

NDMA member R.K. Jain made a presentation to the visiting dignitary, highlighting India's experience in managing floods, avalanches, earthquakes and landslides, with special emphasis on reconstruction efforts after earthquakes.

The officials pointed out that India has a vast and varied experience in post-disaster reconstruction which may be useful to Nepal.

Ranjit Rae, India's Ambassador to Nepal, underlined the importance of institutional mechanisms for disaster management set up in India. The possibility of replicating a similar institutional set-up in Nepal was also discussed.

Nidhi arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening as a Special Envoy of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal. He is in India on a four-day visit.

--IANS

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