Kathmandu. Home Minister Omprakash Aryal has directed to start cold wave and snow preparedness and countermeasures by focusing on vulnerable classes, regions and communities. At the 'Disaster Dialogue' program held today at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, he instructed to keep the necessary medicines and manpower in readiness to deal with the health problems that may come from cold waves and snowfall.

Stating that the government alone cannot manage this challenge, Home Minister Aryal said that strong partnership is necessary with national and international organizations, United Nations agencies, the media world, local communities, civil society and the private sector. "Partnership in relief stock, life saving materials, warm clothes and food storage should be encouraged", he said.

Home Minister Aryal clarified that the preparedness and response national action plan has been issued for the purpose of managing multifaceted and high-risk natural disasters such as cold waves and snowfall in a scientific and effective manner. "These disasters have had a profound impact on indicators such as security, livelihood, health services", he said, "Safety of human life and property is a shared responsibility of all, the role of all three levels, non-governmental organizations and civil society is equally important in the implementation of the action plan issued under the leadership of the authority."

Dinesh Prasad Bhatt, the chief executive of the authority, said that two action plans have been introduced with the aim of preventing human casualties due to snowfall and cold waves. "This action plan prepared after discussion with the stakeholders is a guideline, based on this plan can be made at the district and local level", he said. Chief Bhatt urged the Chief District Officers to prepare and respond to fulfill the responsibility of zeroing the human losses caused by cold waves and snowfall.