Nepal calls on UNESCAP for support in post-quake reconstruction

Kathmandu, May 29: Nepal has called on the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) to help the country in assisting the reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and minimising the risks of disasters in the future.

In his address to the 71st session of the Commission in Bangkok, Thailand, on Thursday, National Planning Commission member Dr Swarnim Wagle, who is heading the Nepali Delegation to the regional event, said Nepal hoped that it could be able to tackle the post-disaster adversity, would rise from the rubble and would build back better.

“But in these hours of crisis, Nepal expects goodwill, support and cooperation from within home and abroad including its neighbours, the international community and the Commission in its recovery efforts and to mitigate risks of disasters in the future. We hope we would emerge a stronger nation that is more unified than ever,” he said.

Informing the session that the National Planning Commission is presently leading a major exercise to prepare a definite Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) with the support of friendly countries, major development partners and international agencies to take the stock of damages and loss, he said Nepal expected the PDNA would provide strategic clarity to efforts aimed at early recovery and rehabilitation.

On the occasion, Dr Wagle congratulated the Prime Minister of Fiji for being elected the Chair of the 71st session of the Commission. RSS