In a major move addressing local disaster concerns, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is building an evacuation center for displaced during disasters.<\/p>\n
IOM is working on this multi-purpose evacuation center in partnership with the Changu Narayan Municipality in Bhaktapur District in the Kathmandu Valley<\/a>.<\/p>\n The initiative is part of the IOM project titled \u2018People to People Support for Building Community Resilience through Recovery and Reconstruction in Nepal (P2P)\u2019 funded by the Royal Thai Government. <\/p>\n The ground-breaking ceremony of this project was held on December 14, 2018 at Helmet Danda, Bhaktapur<\/a> amid the presence of district officials and representatives from the Ministry of Urban Development and the Armed Forces, among others.<\/p>\n Thai Ambassador to Nepal Bhakavat Tanskul, IOM Chief of Mission Paul Norton and Changu Narayan Municipality Mayor Som Prasad Mishra were among key officials present at the event.<\/p>\n Developing Resilience<\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cToday\u2019s ground-breaking ceremony is an auspicious moment for our two countries. It represents Thailand\u2019s support to strengthen disaster risk reduction and empower Nepali people in (this) disaster-prone area\u2026 The funds for this project came from the Thai people under the Thai Heart for Nepal programme to help Nepal recover from the 2015 earthquake,” said Ambassador Bhakavat,<\/span> speaking on the occasion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Meanwhile, IOM Chief of Mission Paul Norton said that there is a need to develop resilient disaster recovery mechanism for Nepal owing to its high vulnerability to natural disasters.<\/p>\n Norton feels that the ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction work is an opportunity for the country to incorporate risk reduction measures while rebuilding damaged infrastructure to eliminate pre-existing vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n \u201cThis pre-designated, multi-hazard resistant community center will be used to host displaced people, giving priority to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs\u202fand the elderly,\u201d Norton added.<\/p>\n \u201cThe center will also serve as a venue for community activities, including women\u2019s and youth groups, community-based training, recreational pursuits, adult literacy classes, information dissemination and income generating activities,\u201d IMO<\/span> said in an official release.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Changu Narayan Municipality Mayor Som Prasad Mishra called the new evacuation centre as another stepping stone towards municipality\u2019s commitment to develop a disaster-resilient community.<\/p>\n Mishra thanked Thailand and IOM for supporting the municipality\u2019s disaster preparedness, risk reduction and resilience efforts. <\/p>\n According to the official release, IOM is planning similar structures in seven other municipalities of quake-affected districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur<\/a>, Gorkha, Dhading, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk and Dolakha.<\/p>\n \u201cMeanwhile, UNDP and other humanitarian agencies have agreed to provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities,\u201d the release added.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In a major move addressing local disaster concerns, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is building…<\/span><\/p>\n