NDRF Meeting on Bhotekoshi Flood Response and Disaster Resilience

Kathmandu, 4 September 2026 — The Nepal Disaster Resilience Foundation (NDRF) organized a meeting with its advisors, subject-matter experts, professionals, and members to discuss the current critical situation caused by the unexpected flooding of the Bhotekoshi River and to develop coordinated approaches for immediate humanitarian support and long-term disaster resilience.

The meeting expressed appreciation for the timely efforts of the Government of Nepal and its security forces in responding to the disaster and supporting affected communities. NDRF reaffirmed its commitment to complement these efforts through humanitarian assistance and longer-term resilience-building initiatives.

Following discussions and expert guidance, NDRF identified the following key areas of action:

Key Decisions and Initiatives

- Humanitarian Relief: NDRF will continue to provide humanitarian support to communities affected by the Bhotekoshi flood, based on identified needs and available resources.

- Psychological First Aid and Counselling: NDRF will immediately initiate Psychological First Aid (PFA) and establish a continuous psychosocial counselling programme for affected victims and first responders to support their mental well-being and recovery.

- Policy Dialogue on Disaster and Climate Governance: NDRF will initiate policy discussions and expert dialogues on disaster management and climate governance, with the objective of contributing evidence-based perspectives to national policy and resilience-building.

- Corporate Disaster Management: To strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience within the organized and private sectors, NDRF will develop and conduct Corporate Disaster Management Programmes.

- School Disaster Volunteer Programme: To promote disaster awareness, volunteerism and community participation, NDRF will implement the School Disaster Volunteer Programme (SDVP), engaging young people in disaster preparedness and response.

- Support to Vulnerable Women and Children: NDRF will continue to provide support to particularly vulnerable women and children affected by the disaster, including children who have lost parental care as a consequence of the flood.

- Research, Data and Field Assessment: NDRF will undertake field assessments, data collection, research and situation reporting to develop a clearer understanding of the disaster and its impacts. The findings will be used to formulate evidence-based policy recommendations for the Government of Nepal.

Participants

The meeting was attended by distinguished advisors, experts, professionals and members of NDRF, including:

- Prof. Dr. Pramod Bahadur Shrestha
- IGP Shailendra Shrestha (Retd.)
- Rajesh Shrestha, Director, LA Group
- DG Dinesh Kumar Napit, Department of Mines and Geology
- Santosh Koirala, President, Nepal Bankers’ Association
- Bijaya Poudel, Senior Journalist
- Prof. Dr. Bijay Lal Shrestha
- Prof. Dr. Rekha Timilsina
- Er. Manoj Khadka
- Regina Pradhan, President, NDRF
- Prakash Shrestha, Secretary, NDRF
- Chetana Lashom, Senior Psychological Counsellor
- Pramila Khanal, Psychological Counsellor
- Laxmi Pradhan, Psychological Counsellor
- Kamal Pokharel, Advocate
- Roshan Dahal, Advocate
- DIG Suresh K. Shrestha, Scholar in Disaster Management and Climate Governance
- Nikson Shrestha, IT Expert
- Er. Sulav Pradhan

The meeting observed due protocol and respect for the victims and families affected by the Bhotekoshi flood and emphasized the importance of coordinated, compassionate and evidence-based action.

NDRF remains committed to working with government agencies, security forces, professionals, communities and other stakeholders to strengthen disaster preparedness, response, recovery and resilience in Nepal.