Nepal Army and the US Army Pacific jointly launched disaster response exercise and exchange of cooperation here Sunday.
Speaking at a press meet organized to share information about the program, Director at Nepal Army Disaster Management Directorate Brigadier General Jit Bahadur Gurung said representatives from 12 countries including the US, the UK, Thailand, Mongolia, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh were invited for the participation.
As part of the weeklong program, various events as talk show and group discussion on disaster management would be held, he said, adding that with the joint initiative of Nepal Army and US Army Pacific, four such programs were organized in Nepal since 2011.
With the country adopting federalism, it is the first time Pokhara was chosen for the program. On the occasion, US Army Pacific's Major Jonathan Syer expressed hope that the program would help reduce disaster risk in Nepal.
A total of 220 persons including the representatives from the concerned agencies have participated in the program, said the organizers. The program was inaugurated by Minister for Internal Affairs and Law of Gandaki Province, Hari Bahadur Chuman. He said such exercises would help make prepared for disasters.
