There should be brief chain-of-command in disaster response: CoAS Sigdel

Kathmandu, Oct 30: Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) Ashok Raj Sigdel has said that based on the disaster response experience in the Bhotekoshi and Budhigandaki corridors, a clear 'chain of command' with definite responsibilities is needed during such times.     

In a meeting today of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Study and Monitoring of the Disaster in the Bhotekoshi and Kaligandaki Corridor Disaster, he expressed that although there was some improvement in coordination compared to the past in disaster response, it still needs to be made more effective.     

Chief of the Army Staff Sigdel suggested that it is necessary to clarify by categorizing according to the nature of the disaster and responsibilities, and since a long chain of command can delay the response, a streamlined command structure is needed.     

Although the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act, 2074, and Regulations, 2076, assign coordinating roles to various bodies, according to the Emergency Operations Center Operation Procedure, 2025, there is no clear 'chain of command, the Army Chief said, adding that, in the initial stages, there has been operational confusion in the field over who should lead the response between the army, security, and civilian bodies.