KATHMANDU: Minister for Health and Population Mohan Bahadur Basnet said that his Ministry was gearing up for early preparedness for disaster risk reduction (DRR) and had instructed the subordinate bodies for the same.

He said early preparedness should be the first condition for DRR and many disasters could be prevented if early preparedness activities are implemented robustly.

Minister Basnet said that early preparedness could also reduce the damages incurred from disasters and facilitate rescue operations if early preparedness is effectively implemented.

Basnet shared past experiences of not having adequate rescue tools and equipment in the past and, thus, spoke of the need to be well-equipped regarding those goods on time.

“Let’s take this issue seriously and let’s get prepared to deal with epidemic and communicable diseases that could spread during the disasters,” urged the Minister.

Stating that the COVID-19 pandemic had already hit hard Nepal, he argued, it had also shown that the country would suffer fewer damages from the pandemic if precautionary measures were observed timely.

Moreover, Minister Basnet pointed out the need to transport those DRR-related goods and services prior to the disasters that could not be immediately transported during the disasters.

He also called for arranging minimum necessities needed in the time of disasters and shared that circulars were sent to concerned agencies in the districts.