Kathmandu, July 1- Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs Bishnu Prasad Poudel has directed the line agencies to work on preparedness with top priorities for disaster risk reduction. He also asked the officials to work seriously for rescue, relief and rehabilitation.

At a meeting in the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday on disaster management, Poudel directed the stakeholders to work on preparedness by considering the risks from heavy rain in different parts of the country. He also pledged all out efforts to rescue and provide relief to the disaster-hit communities while asking the agencies to work for effective results.

The Home Minister also made it clear that there would not be resource crunch from the government side for the rescue and relief jobs. “Get ready for the disaster reduction instead of taking steps after the incidents (disasters),” he added. Similarly, he laid emphasis for the inter-ministerial coordination for rescue and relief operations.Stating that integrated action plan would be unveiled for minimizing the losses, he asked the agencies and officials to work in routine for rehabilitation and reconstruction of the damages infrastructures including roads.

Likewise, Home Secretary Maheshwor Neupane said that there will be no crunch of funds as the Disaster Fund has more than Rs 5 billion in cash. Similarly, CEO of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority Anil Pokhrel and other officials from the Home Ministry attended the meeting. (RSS)