Karnali, March 9: Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak announced today that the authority for disaster risk reduction and management has been officially delegated to provincial governments.

Speaking at the Provincial Emergency Warehouse Handover Program in Birendranagar, Surkhet, Minister Lekhak stated that the responsibilities, policies, and directives under the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) have now been entrusted to the provincial level.

"From now on, provinces will not need prior approval from the NDRRMA during times of disaster. Provincial governments will independently handle disaster management operations," he said.

Minister Lekhak emphasized the government's commitment to disaster preparedness, noting that emergency warehouses have been established in all seven provinces, with plans to extend similar facilities to the local level. “Since local governments are closest to the people, we will also ensure the construction of emergency depots at that level,” he added.

The Minister further stated that both the NDRRMA and the National Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, along with the Executive Committee coordinated by the Home Minister, have been actively engaged in disaster risk reduction with increased sensitivity and urgency.

Reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts have also been accelerated in districts including Doti, Bajhang, Bajura, and Jajarkot, based on data from recent earthquakes, he shared.

During the program, Home Minister Lekhak formally handed over the Provincial Emergency Warehouse located at Itram, Birendranagar Municipality-7, to Karnali Province Chief Minister Yamlal Kandel.

Chief Minister Kandel welcomed the move but stressed that beyond the physical infrastructure, the federal government must also transfer related institutions and authorities. "It took seven years just to hand over the warehouse. The federal government should now ensure adequate funding for its operation," he said.

NDRRMA Executive Chief Bhishma Kumar Bhusal noted that while the Home Ministry previously handled the mobilization of humanitarian goods, the disaster management responsibilities have now been decentralized in accordance with the NDRRM Act, which defines the roles of all three levels of government.