KATHMANDU, Jan 16: The 28th Earthquake Memorial Day was observed on Friday at Bhugol Park in New Road, Kathmandu, with speakers emphasising the need to strengthen community capacity in disaster preparedness.
Held under the theme “Prepared governments at all levels, prepared citizens: Earthquake-resilient Nepal, our shared responsibility,” the memorial aimed to raise public awareness so that future generations do not suffer the devastation caused by past earthquakes. Nepal observes the day in memory of the great earthquake of 1937.
Addressing the gathering, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said that reducing earthquake-related losses requires stronger preparedness mechanisms, enhanced intergovernmental coordination, and the institutionalisation of local-level initiatives. He emphasised that regular drills and the effective implementation of urban resilience indicators are crucial to building safer cities.
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Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Deputy Mayor and programme chair Sunita Dangol highlighted the central role of communities in reducing earthquake impact, noting that local residents are the first responders during disasters. “Community capacity must be turned into a tool for preparedness, search and rescue, recovery, and rehabilitation,” she said, calling for integrated planning and cooperation among all tiers of government.
Disaster Management Committee coordinator Prem Thapa said it was time to develop systems that prevent future damage rather than merely remembering earthquake losses. He stressed the importance of promoting indigenous construction skills, noting that many traditional structures have withstood major earthquakes in the past.
The programme revisited lessons from major earthquakes, including the 1934 Nepal–Bihar earthquake, the 1988 Udayapur earthquake, the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, the 2022 Doti earthquake, and the 2023 Jajarkot earthquake, underscoring their human, physical, and environmental impacts and the need for resilient urban transformation.
Officials from the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, metropolitan representatives, and disaster-focused civil society organisations attended the event. Security personnel actively engaged in disaster response were also honoured with cash awards of Rs 25,000 each.
Nepal ranks 11th globally in terms of earthquake risk. KMC is scheduled to hold the main commemorative programme later today at Khula Manch, featuring exhibitions of disaster preparedness, search and rescue equipment, technologies, and services.
