Signature Campaign for endorsing Disaster Management Bill

Signature Campaign for endorsing Disaster Management Bill

By: Merina Shakya

As a part of National Advocacy Campaign on Disaster Management, “paschim paaila” in coordination with DPNet Nepal, YDRR and other national/international organizations conducted a week long signature campaign for endorsing Disaster Management Bill from January 16-23, 2012 on different landmark areas of Kathmandu Valley.

After signing from Honorable Prime Minister, Mr. Babu Ram Bhattarai and Famous Actress, Ms. Rekha Thapa, nominated as Advocacy Ambassador, at the exhibition on the first day for showing the solidarity kicked off the signature campaign. The key objective of the campaign was to get the Disaster Management Bill endorsed by government as soon as possible.   The campaign was intended to increase public awareness to understand disaster management, its need and disaster risk reduction, to increase public voice for the policy provision in the sector of disaster management and to create pressure to the policy makers, governmental authorities and concern bodies regarding disaster management.

Different areas within the valley were selected for the whole campaign including areas like Bhaktapur Durbar Square Area, Sano Thimi, Madhyapur Thimi, Kamalbinayak ,Suryabinayak, Patan Dhoka, Mangalbazar,Lagankhel etc. People appreciated and wanted to know more about the campaign and showed their interest on the topic. However, some people raised question like -“Will this campaign really work for what you people are thinking to do?”  Overall campaign has found as appreciable work where general public knew about the Disasters its management and requirement of policy.