ABOUT
The United Nations, through the International Secretariat for Disaster Risk Reduction, has established and coordinated disaster risk reduction mechanisms at various levels to enhance the effectiveness and cohesiveness of disaster management activities. In these platforms, forums share knowledge and discuss the latest developments and trends in reducing disaster risk. The Global Platform is a forum for information exchange, discussion of latest developments, knowledge and partnership-building across sectors, with the goal of improving DRR implementation through better communication and coordination amongst stakeholders. It enables multi-stakeholders to share experiences and agree on strategic guidance for Sendai Framework implementation. Regional Platforms are multi-stakeholder forums that reflect the commitment of governments to improve coordination and implementation of disaster risk reduction activities while linking to international and national efforts. The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction encourages the establishment of multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms for disaster risk reduction, including National Platforms for Disaster Risk Reduction, to highlight the relevance, added value and cost-benefit of a coordinated and consistent approach to disaster risk reduction at the national level.
In accordance with this, the Government of Nepal (GoN), specifically the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA), formed the ‘National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction' in 2012 AD (2069 Nepali calendar).
The Disaster Preparedness Network (DPNet) serves as the Secretariat of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
On 26 July 2020 (11th Shrawan 2077), the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee endorsed the guidance provided by the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.
According to the aforementioned guidance, the Chief Executive of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority has been designated as the Chairperson of the Committee.
The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) is a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder, and multi-level coordinated mechanism responsible for implementing Nepal's national disaster risk reduction strategy.
The National Platform brings together key stakeholders from various sectors and consists of nine thematic groups: government and line ministries, semi-government organizations, INGOs, NGOs/CBOs, UN and bilateral partners, academic and research institutions, affected communities, private sector, and media. This inclusive composition allows for a comprehensive and cross-cutting approach to risk reduction.
The implementation of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction
Based on the guidance and relevant laws related to disaster management, the provincial and local governments can establish their own provincial and local platforms, considering them as a basis.
The local platforms can inform the provincial platforms, and the provincial platforms can inform the national platform about their establishment, sharing information on decisions and collaborating cooperatively for effective work.
NPDRR Secretariat
Mr. Anil Pokhrel is the Chief Executive of National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority (NDRRMA), Government of Nepal. As the Chief Executive Chief of NDRRMA, he has been designated as the Chairperson of the NPDRR. He also serves as the Member Secretary to the National Executive Committee for DRRM headed by Hon. Minister of Home Affairs and the National Council for DRRM headed by Rt. Hon. Prime Minister. In a career spanning more than two decades, Mr. Pokhrel has gained extensive experience in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Climate Change Adaptation and water management with Nepali and international NGOs, UN agencies, Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. Mr. Pokhrel previously worked as Sr. Risk & Adaptation Specialist at Plan8 Risk Consulting. Prior to that, he served as DRM Specialist at the ADB and the World Bank and as Research Associate at Overseas Development Institute, UK and Institute for Social and Environmental Transition, USA. Mr. Pokhrel was trained as a Civil Engineer at Tribhuvan University (1994-1997) and in Environmental Management -specialization in water science, policy and management- at Yale University (2004-2006) under a Fulbright fellowship
Ms.
Smita Poudel 
Fulbright |Heller School, Brandeis University| Section Officer GoN. Section Officer, Government of Nepal Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration
Mr. Surya Bahadur Thapa boasts a career spanning over three decades in the fields of development and Disaster Management, having served in numerous roles within both national and international organizations and federations since 1985. His extensive experience includes a previous tenure as Treasurer of the Social Welfare Council. His contributions have earned him prestigious accolades, including the 'International Humanitarian Award 2017' from Dan Church Aid, the 'Disaster Relief Award' from MoHA, and the 'National Award for Outstanding Development Worker-1996' bestowed upon him by the NGO Federation of Nepal.
Dr. Raju Thapa is a professional lawyer and academic with specializations in disaster management. He has earned a PhD in Inclusive Disaster Management and holds four master's degrees in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies, Political Science, Sociology, and Human Rights Education. A 2018 recipient of the Australia Awards, Dr. Thapa is also an esteemed alumnus of Queensland University of Technology. In the field of leadership, Dr. Thapa has served as the Coordinator of the Sphere Coordination Committee and as Vice Chairperson of DPNet Nepal. Currently, he is the General Secretary of NCDM and has experience working on projects funded by various UN, bilateral agencies, INGOs, and NGOs. He is also a Board Member and Founding Board Member of the Institute of Crisis Management Studies, which is affiliated with Tribhuvan University.
Thematic Groups
- Government
- Semi Government Organizations
- INGOs
- NGOs/CBOs
- UN and Bilateral Partners
- Affected Communities
- Academic and Research Institutions
- Private Sector
- Media
Government
Mr. Bharat Mani Pandey is the Joint Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, and serves as the 
Coordinator of the Government Thematic Group.
INGOs
Mr. Dinesh Gurung is the Coordinator of the INGOs Thematic Group. With 17 years of global experience in humanitarian and development work, Mr. Gurung is a proficient professional specializing in emergency program design, cash and voucher assistance, forecast-based actions, shock-responsive social protection, and disaster risk reduction. Serving as the Coordinator of the Association of International Non-Government Organizations (AIN) Task Group on Disaster Management and Climate Change in Nepal and leading the Cash Working Group, he has actively contributed to policy formulation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders. His expertise includes effective collaboration with governments, donors, civil society organizations, and advocacy for Core Humanitarian Standards.
Ms. Neelam Parajuli (Khanal)is the Co-Coordinator of the INGOs Thematic group. She serves as the coordinator for the Association of International NGO Task Group for Disaster Management and Climate Change (AINTGDMCC), boasting more than 15 years of professional experience across diverse organizations. Her academic background includes a post-graduate Diploma in Disaster Management from Indira Gandhi National Open University and a Master's Degree in Rural Development from Nepal's Tribhuvan University. Since 2005, she has been actively engaged in Disaster Risk Reduction and Humanitarian work.
Her technical expertise spans various areas, encompassing Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), climate change, humanitarian response, first responder training for national rescue agencies, hospital emergency preparedness, Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA), and WASH. Furthermore, she possesses a robust skill set in program management, human resource and financial management, strategic planning, collaboration, partnership management, networking, and coordination with program partners at regional, national, and international levels. Neelam brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to her role, successfully steering development and humanitarian response, relief efforts, and recovery programs throughout her professional career.
NGOs/CBOs
Mr. Daya Sagar Shrestha is the Coordinator of NGOs/CBOs Thematic Group at National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR). He represents the National Disaster Management Network of Nepal (DiMaNN), which is the national network of NGOs working on disaster risk reduction and management. Mr. Shrestha has a long experience of networking, coordination and CSO development regarding sustainable development, human rights and DRR. Further, Mr. Shrestha is Executive Director of the National Campaign for Sustainable Development and he is contributing to the SDGs, Climate Actions and localizing human rights.
Bhawana Bhatta, Co-Coordinator, NGOs/CBOs Thematic Group
Shakti Gurung, Co-Coordinator, NGOs/CBOs Thematic Group
UN and Bilateral Partners
Affected Communities
Academic and Research Institutions
Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari is the coordinator of Academic and Research Institutions Thematic Group. He is currently working as a Deputy-Director at Centre for Disaster Studies, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuvan University, Nepal. His main research interests are on tectonics of the Himalaya, climate change, hill-slope movement and human interaction, Himalayan sediment flux generation, landslide Early Warning System, Multi-hazard risk assessment, community-based disaster risk reduction and nature-based solutions. He has published more than 50 scientific research papers and book chapters and received various recognitions for his work in the field of earth science and disaster risk reduction. He has conducted more than 40 research projects funded by the Department of International Development (DFID), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), National Natural Science Foundation of China (NFSC), Global Challenges Research Fund – UKRI etc. He has received various recognitions for his work in the field of earth science i.e., “young affiliates” (The World Academy of Sciences), “Sichuan 1000 talents”. His detail information can be found in his personal webpage: http://bradhikari.com.np
