Kathmandu: A discussion was held with the representatives of United Nations agencies, NGOs, and I-NGOs working in the sectors of drinking water, sanitation, agriculture, and irrigation in the Madhesh Province. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority convened a meeting with them at Singhadurbar to address the drought situation across the Madhesh Province and explore solutions to the ongoing issues.
According to National News Agency Nepal, the cabinet had previously declared Madhesh Province a disaster-hit zone on July 23 for a period of three months due to the acute water shortage caused by a prolonged drought. This followed a similar declaration by the Madhesh Province government on July 10. During the meeting, representatives briefed on their current efforts in the Province and expressed that providing detailed information about the worst-affected areas would facilitate necessary assistance.
Authority’s CEO Dinesh Bhatta urged the meeting attendees to prioritize drinking water and mentioned that they had sought information from the district administration offices to identify areas needing urgent help. Bhatta also recalled a meeting held by the Authority with Madhesh Province leaders and administrators on July 26, attended by Minister for Home Affairs, Ramesh Lekhak.
Following the cabinet’s decision to declare Madhesh a disaster-hit zone, the Authority appealed to UN agencies, social organizations, and the Red Cross to adjust their programs to focus on Madhesh. Consequently, efforts to improve drinking water and irrigation facilities have commenced in the Province.