NRNA Australia Disaster, Emergency and Crisis Management Taskforce in association with Embassy of Nepal Canberra, Nepal Science Foundation Trust (NSFT), Australian Nepalese Medical & Dental Association and Federation of Nepalese Community Associations of Australia organized NRNA Australia Disaster Emergency and Pandemic (DECMT) Conference 2021 on March 27, 2021, in Canberra. The conference was supported by Australia Nepal Friendship Society and Australian Education Consultant’s Alliance.
The conference was the first disaster conference. In the conference Dr Raju Adhikari, Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation that works with leading organisations around the world, gave a plenary talk. 
The conference kicked off with remarks from Nepalese Ambassador to Australia H.E. Mahesh Raj Dahal, NRNA ICC Past President and Chief Patron Dr Shesh Ghale, NRNA Australia VP and ACT State Co-Ordinator Chudamani Sapkota, VP Mana KC, ANJA President Hemanta Kafle, Task Force Coordinator Dr Bharat Raj Poudel and Deputy Co-Ordinator Dr Ram Krishna Niroula, NRNA Australia Treasurer Anil Pokharel and NRNA Australia President Keshav Kandel in presence of NRNA leaders, academics, scholars, social workers, media and dignitaries.
The first session of the conference concluded with launch of the book titled “Dissecting the pandemic Covid-19” co-authored by Dr Bharat Raj Poudel, Dr Ram Krishna Niroula and Dr Raju Adhikari. During the technical session many outstanding papers were presented by academics’ social workers and NRNA leaders. The plenary talk was given by Principal Scientist, Member Secretary SK&TT Department ICC, Dr Raju Adhikari followed by invited talks by, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Nepal, Ms Durapada Sapkota, FeNCAA General Secretary Dr Krishna Hamal, Dr Chandra Deepak Pokharel, Dr Hemanta Ojha, Dr Rupak Aryal, Mrs Punam Panta/Dr Kush Shrestha, Dr Bandita Mainali, Dr Jyoti KC, Dr Ramesh Sunam and NRNA Australia President Keshav Kandel NRNA Australia General Secretary Dr Gyanendra Regmi conducted all 3 sessions.
The conference concluded with following 14 points declaration.
Summary and Recommendations
- The Disaster conference is the first conference and should be held as an annual event
- The conference included eight different presentations to cover various aspects of COVID pandemic management and impacts in Nepal.
- All presentation materials, conference booklet and book should be shared on NRNA webpage.
- The conference recognised and highlighted the strength and role of NRNA, Community organisations, professional organisations like AMDA in COVID pandemic crises mitigation both physical and mental health crises.
- Conference appreciated the role of media and recognised the role of media partnership in crises management to raise greater awareness and mitigation efforts campaigns
- Sign MOU between Nepal Embassy and Community organisations to work jointly in future crises management.
- DECMT work closely with NRN Australia Pandemic Committee
- DECMT, NAST, NSFT, SK&TT to explore the feasibility to launch jointly Disaster Journal in the future.
- NRNA and Disaster Task force to apply for Federal and State Government Grants and send representation to the Australia Government Disaster Committee.
- The continuation and publication of 2nd issue with larger contributions on the pandemic crises is recommended.
- Work closely with Embassy to liaison with Nepali government efforts
- Nepal Embassy, NAST and NRNA proposed Virology Lab proposal to be pursued
- FeNCAA support role at policy levels with Australian Government is necessary.
- NRNA SK&TT Department to play a proactive role in transfer of knowledge and innovation in disaster areas.
Dr. Raju Adhikari’s presentation full content is available in this link NRNA-SK&TT_NSFT_Canberra_Plenary_Raju_27032021