Kathmandu, April 19 - A three-day National Simulation Exercise (SIMEX) on the End-to-End Early Warning System has officially commenced, aiming to strengthen Nepal’s disaster preparedness and response capacity through coordinated institutional efforts.
The exercise was inaugurated this morning under the leadership of Executive Chief Eng. Dinesh Bhatt, who emphasized that timely and effective early warning plays a crucial role in minimizing disaster risks. He noted that improved early warning systems enhance preparedness and response mechanisms, ultimately reducing potential loss of life and property. Bhatt also informed that the national roadmap for the “Early Warning for All” initiative is currently in its final stage of development.
Senior representatives from key national and international organizations highlighted the significance of strengthening early warning systems. Among the speakers were Suresh Panthi, Chief of the Disaster and Conflict Management Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs; Min Bahadur Malla, Secretary General of the Nepal Red Cross Society; David Fisher, Head of Country Delegation at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; and Haile Abera, Program Director at the World Food Programme.
The simulation exercise has brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including federal ministries and departments, provincial and local governments, security agencies, United Nations bodies, the Red Cross, and various partner organizations. This multi-agency participation reflects a growing commitment to building an integrated and people-centered early warning system across the country.
According to organizers, the second day of the program will feature a “table-top exercise” designed to test coordination and decision-making processes, while the final day will involve a field-level simulation at Taudaha in Kirtipur to assess real-time response capabilities.
The “Early Warning for All” framework guiding the exercise is built on four key pillars: disaster risk knowledge; observation, analysis, and forecasting; warning dissemination and communication; and preparedness, response, and capacity development. These pillars are considered essential to ensuring that early warning systems are both effective and accessible to vulnerable communities.
The ongoing exercise is expected to provide valuable insights into improving coordination, communication, and operational readiness among stakeholders involved in disaster risk reduction in Nepal.
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