The South Asia Policy Dialogue, titled “Building a Safer Future: Investing in Communities for Resilience,” was successfully concluded on June 4, 2026, at Shankar Hotel in Kathmandu, Nepal. Organized by Duryog Nivaran, the South Asian Network for Disaster Mitigation, in collaboration with the Disaster Preparedness Network (DP Net Nepal), the event drew a substantial audience, including representatives from government bodies, civil society organizations, development partners, media, and various community-based organizations.
Achyut Luitel, Chair of Duryog Nivaran, emphasized, “We must rethink our understanding of disasters. They are not just natural events; they are deeply connected to our development choices and structural vulnerabilities. Our communities are not mere victims; they are essential partners in reducing risks and fostering resilience.
We are committed to promoting inclusive, people-centered approaches to disaster risk reduction. Our advocacy prioritizes the needs of marginalized groups, ensuring their voices are amplified. Over the last four to five years, partnerships with organizations like the Asia Foundation and SIDA have greatly enhanced our efforts. We’ve crafted a strategy centered around community-driven disaster risk reduction, built on three core pillars: community agency, gender equality and social inclusion, and inclusive disaster risk governance.
Duryog Nivaran has been at the forefront of regional dialogues on risk reduction and resilience, connecting local experiences with wider regional and global processes. Our mission reaffirms our shared dedication to resilience, justice, and equity across South Asia. We strive to strengthen a network that speaks powerfully on behalf of vulnerable communities.
Kriangrai Thitamakorn, Senior Programme Officer for Environment and Climate Change at the Embassy of Sweden in Bangkok, in his message to the event highlighted, “Investing in resilience is both a humanitarian imperative and a developmental necessity.”
Ms. Goma Devi Takal Paudil, Under Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA), emphasized the importance of action on three fronts. “First, we need inclusive governance. Resilience cannot flourish if the most vulnerable are overlooked. Our investments must empower women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. NDRRMA has devised a strategic action plan that details activities and responsibilities across all levels, ensuring no one is left behind.
Ms. Goma Devi Takal Paudil, Under Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority (NDRRMA), emphasized the importance of action on three fronts. “First, we need inclusive governance. Resilience cannot flourish if the most vulnerable are overlooked. Our investments must empower women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities. NDRRMA has devised a strategic action plan that details activities and responsibilities across all levels, ensuring no one is left behind.
Second, we must connect early warning systems with timely action. While technology, like satellite monitoring, is crucial, it’s ineffective if communities don’t know how to respond. NDRRMA is working to create clear, actionable local protocols supported by planned anticipatory financing, safeguarding lives and livelihoods before disasters strike.
Moderated by Ms. Madhavi Malalgoda Ariyabandu, a Steering Committee Member of Duryog Nivaran, the panel featured Dr. Mandira Shrestha, a senior specialist in disaster risk reduction, climate services, and water; Professor Mahbuba Nasreen, Director of the Institute for Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies in Bangladesh; and Mr. Hari Karki, National Consultant for Disaster Risk Reduction Policy with UN Women Nepal.
In his keynote address, Dr. Dipak Gyawali highlighted that the foundation of Duryog Nivaran is rooted in the belief that disasters are the unfinished business of development. “I expanded on this in my recent book, Shifting Lands, released in Singapore by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences.
He continued, “The recognition of climate change as a water problem at COP27 is a step forward, but subsequent COPs have yet to address this adequately. Climate change, primarily stemming from fossil fuel consumption in the energy sector, impacts society through water issues—be it excess, scarcity, or misplacement. The floods in Pakistan in 2022 illustrate this well.
The next segment that followed explored three critical issues impacting gender and social inclusion in resilience-building. The first centered on the need for disaggregated data to inform disaster risk management. While data accessibility exists, the essential question is whether we are genuinely analyzing social marginalization. The second question discussed in this segment focused on the coping strategies of vulnerable groups to inform planning, implementation, and monitoring. The third emphasized the integration of gender and social inclusion into disaster preparedness and anticipatory action—an increasingly recognized priority, especially as crises escalate in our region. Anticipatory action can significantly reduce disaster impacts and bolster community resilience.
The session concluded with Ms. Krishna Karkee, Founder of CDMS Nepal, presenting three practical checklists that aids collecting and analyzing disaggregated data, aligning with the Sendai Gap objectives and integrating gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) into livelihood recovery processes.
The third segment, “Stories of Resilience,” moderated by Ms Karin Fernando showcased community-centered forecasting and risk methods, illustrating community engagement in these processes. Discussions included index-based risk insurance by Practical Action and insights into managing extreme heat crises from India provided by AIDMI. This segment also focused on the lessons learned from the recovery efforts following the Ditwa disaster in Sri Lanka.
The panel featured Ms. Sneha Bhatta, a Senior Program Officer at the Institute of Himalayan Risk Reduction, Dr Dharam Raj Uprety the thematic lead for climate and resilience at Practical Action Nepal, Mr. Mehul Pandya from All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) and Dr Janaka Hematileka, CEO of Janathakshan from Sri Lanka.
The presentations and discussions held during the event offered valuable insights into community engagement, gender and social inclusion, and disaster risk governance, drawing from various disaster risk reduction initiatives throughout South Asia. Additionally, the event highlighted the prevalent policy and implementation gaps in disaster risk reduction across the region, underscoring the urgent need for collaborative networking approaches to address these challenges effectively. The event was featured on Nepal national media including:
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