Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research, and Development (LI-BIRD) with support from Nepal Preparedness Partnership (NPP) organized a learning and sharing workshop titled “Strengthening capacity of Government, Local Humanitarian Organizations and Private Sector on Preparedness for Response in Nepal” at The Entrance Café, Bakhundol, Lalitpur on July 28th, 2019.

The workshop led by highly qualified facilitators contributed different ideas on the importance of emergency response for disaster risk reduction in Nepalese conditions. The primary success of the event was discussing the work completed under NPP the APP national chapter in Nepal in the first phase. The event increased awareness and understanding of participants on protection against lightning (PaL) with most participants actively engaged in DRR and emergency response. PaL became highlighted as a new subject of discussion among participants as the event increased awareness and knowledge to a range of humanitarian actors.

Mr. Bharat Bhandari, Programme Development Director from LI-BIRD shortly reviewed and reflected the success of the program. He acknowledged all the participants for spending their valuable time and requested them to reflect on the workshop. Participants shared that the PaL guideline and training manual has become an eye-opener for them to learn about the occurrence and intensity of lightning, its risks, and casualties as well as ongoing initiatives by APP in Nepal.

Finally, the concluding remarks on the usefulness and worthiness of the workshop were given by Mr. Bamsi Acharya, Under-secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA). Appreciating the presence of all the participants in the sharing workshop, he reiterated on the importance of the partnership between Government officials, local level I/NGOs, academia and media for preparedness to combat any emergency situation. Mr. Acharya also acknowledged that MoHA is always ready for the support and coordination required for emergency response and preparedness.