The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three private sector organizations to strengthen search and rescue operations during disasters by mobilizing helicopters, drones, and rafting services.
The agreement was signed between the NDRRMA, the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal (AOAN), the Drone Association of Nepal, and the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) during a formal ceremony held at the Authority's office.
Under the agreement with the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal, helicopter services will be provided free of charge for rescue operations within the Kathmandu Valley. For operations outside the Valley, helicopter services will be made available at the minimum operational cost to support emergency response efforts.
Similarly, the agreement with the Drone Association of Nepal states that, whenever required during disaster situations, the association will provide drones, related equipment, and certified drone pilots free of charge. The NDRRMA will be responsible for covering the travel and accommodation expenses of the deployed personnel.
The MoU with the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA) provides that, upon request from the Authority, rafting equipment and trained personnel will be deployed free of charge during flood, inundation, and other river-related disasters. The rafts will be used for immediate search and rescue operations, as well as for transporting relief materials, medicines, and emergency response teams.
The agreement will remain valid for one year and may be renewed through mutual consent.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, NDRRMA Executive Chief Pradeep Kumar Koirala emphasized that effective disaster response requires close coordination among the government, private sector, and local communities. He expressed appreciation for the private sector's commitment to supporting humanitarian efforts during emergencies.
Representatives of the participating organizations also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting lives and assisting citizens during disasters. These included Muralidhar Joshi, General Secretary of the Airlines Operators Association of Nepal; Raj Bikram Maharjan, President of the Drone Association of Nepal; and Shiva Adhikari, Acting President of the Nepal Association of Rafting Agencies (NARA).
The event was attended by officials from the National Emergency Operation Centre, the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation, the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the Department of Roads, the Nepal Army, Nepal Police, and the Armed Police Force Nepal, among other stakeholders.
