Speaking at a program organized by the 13th Earthquake Safety Day, National Main Celebration Committee on Sunday, Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal said since the damages to be caused by natural calamity was difficult to forecast, public awareness should be raised on minimizing the risk of calamities.
Stating that Nepal stands 11th in the list of countries at high risk of natural calamity, Mr Nepal said unplanned housing in the urban centers and construction of apartments had increased the possibilities of damages.
Referring to the recent earthquakes in India, China and Haiti, Prime Minister Nepal said the Government was developing a law for the construction of earthquake-resistance structures in the country.
Home Minister Bhim Rawal said the Government has introduced the natural calamity mitigation program and also established the national emergency operation centre.
On the occasion, Resident Representative of the United Nations in Nepal, Robert Piper called for coordination and cooperation among the large number of organizations working to spread public awareness on earthquake.
Home Secretary Dr Govinda Kusum, Chief Executive Officer of Kathmandu Metropolis Ananda Raj Pokharel and other speakers also stressed on the need for coordinated efforts in minimizing the risk of natural calamity.
According to an estimate by the Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risks Management Project, there is a possibility that over 40,000 people will lose their lives, around 100,000 to 200,000 will be injured, around 60,000 to 90,000 people will be displaced and around 60 per cent of the building will be damaged if an earthquake of the magnitude of 1932 hits Nepal again.
On the occasion, Prime Minister Nepal inaugurated the earthquake safety exhibition and visited the exhibition stalls. The Nepal Army, the Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force and the Nepal Red Cross Society have put safety stalls on display at the exhibition.
During the program, the participants including the Prime Minister practiced ´duck down´, a post-earthquake safety exercise following the blowing of the siren through Radio Nepal at 2:24 pm.
The Earthquake Safety Day was observed throughout the country on Sunday by organizing several programs including morning rally, talk programs and seminars.
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