05 June 2023, Janakpur, Nepal – Government of Nepal mandates the establishment of Local Emergency Operations Center (LEOC) at the level of the municipalities in Nepal. However, not all municipalities currently have provisions for LEOC and GGGI is addressing this gap in the Madhesh Province.
GGGI is implementing the Climate Smart Agriculture project in Madhesh province which aims to support the widespread adoption of climate-smart agriculture to reduce vulnerability and improve food and job security, especially for women, youth and returned migrant workers in the Terai Flood Plain region. The project is funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and is implemented in close partnership with the Ministry of Land Management, Agriculture and Cooperatives (MoLMAC).
On June 05, 2023, GGGI officially inaugurated the LEOC, a pivotal component supported by the project, at Mithila Bihari Municipality. The project will provide support for the establishment of such LOECs in all ten participating project municipalities. Serving as a vital governmental unit, the LEOC functions as a platform for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of disaster-related information, facilitating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and emergency response initiatives. LEOCs play a crucial role in climate smart agriculture as they are responsible for coordinating early warning systems, communicating disaster information, search and rescue operations, as well as relief management. Thus, by effectively managing climate-related emergencies, LEOC helps to minimize agricultural losses, enhance resilience, and promote sustainable farming practices.
The inauguration event brought together esteemed dignitaries and representatives from KOICA, MoLMAC, the District Coordination Committee (DCC), Mithila Bihari Municipality, Good Neighbors International, and GGGI. Dr. Lasse Ringius, Country Representative, GGGI, in his opening remarks, expressing his gratitude to KOICA for its support and commitment to the project and acknowledge the collective efforts since the project launch on August 31, 2022 that have brought the LEOC to fruition.
Yoon Hee Chung, Deputy Country Director, KOICA said: “We recognize the immense significance of this project, as it establishes a crucial connection with the people of Madhesh province and directly impacts their livelihoods. In a context where agriculture is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, the implementation of LEOC will undoubtedly provide great relief to this sector and the communities that depend on it. I request all partners and stakeholders of this project to stay committed to this project and we ensure the same from our side.” The event also featured remarks from other esteemed guests and participants. The guests all commended the collaborative efforts of KOICA, GGGI, MoLMAC and project municipalities in ensuring disaster resilience at local levels.