Program Report-2026
Title: Journalist Orientation Program on Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Date: 3th Ashar, 2083 ( June 17, 2026)
Location: Digambara Hotel, Jamal, Kathmandu
Organiser: Disaster Journalism Network-DJN
Supported by: Ministry of information and communication
Introduction
Since disaster journalism hasn’t developed institutionally, journalists haven’t been able to cover various issues related to natural and man-made disasters in depth. DJN organized an orientation program for journalists and different organizations.
During the program, Basantaraj Adhikari, President of DPNet Nepal, suggested that people need to stay alert and careful as false information spreads during different disaster events.
After opening session, senior hydrologist Vinod Parajuli from the Department of Water and Meteorology presented a paper on ‘Flood Disaster Early Forecasting, Preparedness, and Mitigation Measures in Nepal,’ saying that nowadays, with accurate weather forecasts, there’s a high chance of receiving flood warnings, which has been helping to reduce disaster incidents.
Parajuli informed everyone at the presentation that there is a bilateral understanding between the governments of Nepal and China to receive early warnings to avoid floods so that there is no damage like in the past during the monsoon, and it will be implemented soon.
Shanti Mahat, spokesperson for the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, stated that as the monsoon is about to start, disaster response and preparedness actions have been actively moving forward.
During the inauguration program of the first phase, trainer and network chair Amika Rajthala gave a training session, presenting a paper on ‘Women and Girl Child in Disaster’ from gender perspective, highlighting the need to pay special attention to women, children, and the elderly in times of disaster.
Member Mahananda Timalsina trained the participating journalists on various aspects of disasters, their impacts, national and international policy perspectives, and point’s journalists should keep in mind while reporting on disasters.
Initially, he highlighted brief disaster scenario of Nepal which stressed and emphasized journalists to the need of focuss on the issue of diaster in Nepal. Then he highlighed on the majors national and international disaster risj reduction and management framework guidelines and policies in this context. In the lattar part of his presentation, he presented about the role of journalist in Diaster risk reductiona and management, major Issues of disaster reporting in Nepal, major tips for Reporters and journalists regarding how to carry out disaster reporting and major successful cases of disaster reporting in Nepal and International context.
DJN has completed a one-day workshop on journalist orientation related to disaster risk reduction and management. During the workshop, stakeholders mentioned that the media plays an important role in disaster reduction. At the program, DJN’s treasurer Shobha Manandhar gave the institutional introduction and welcome speech, while Secretary Devi Sapkota facilitated the session.
Opening Session: The organization’s treasurer, Shobha Manandhar, gave an institutional introduction and welcome speech.
Main Activities:
– Presented a paper on flood disaster early prediction, preparedness, and mitigation measures in Nepal
In the three separate presentations, there was an in-depth discussion on the effects of weather-related events, their physical and mental impacts on ordinary people, and the role of mass media. During the discussion following the presentations, journalists representing various media shared their experiences and the work they have done while reporting on all kinds of disasters that happen in Nepal.
Senior journalist Sangita Lama informed the participants about the investigative news prepared at Himal Media and the various challenges they have faced so far. She suggested being alert nowadays, as false information can put the media and journalists working there in a difficult position.
Shyam Dotel, the president of Red Cross Kathmandu District, said at the program that since we are on the edge of water-related disaster risks, the role of everyone from social workers to media person will be important.
– Feedback, suggestions, and Q&A session with the participants
Number of participants:
There were 34 participants in the program, including the instructor.
