The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has formed a task force with the aim of creating an integrated information system capable of promptly relaying emergency texts sent by individuals through mobile or landline phones to a proposed central information hub to ensure quick response in the event of an emergency situation. The task force has members from various government agencies including from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Health and Population, the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, Nepal Army, Armed Police Force, Nepal Police in addition to a communication expert. The proposed system is expected to integrate various emergency services such as ambulance, firefighters, police, and primary health services during emergencies. The task force has been given a 15-day deadline to present a concept paper and action plan regarding delivery of emergency services. We appreciate the plan to integrate all emergency services for better response to emergency situations.
Currently, Nepal Police's emergency hotline is 100, the fire department's hotline is 101, the ambulance service is accessible through 102, and the traffic police hotline is 103. With the launch of the new service, all citizens would be able to report their problems to the central system using a single number. The information received at the central information system would be subsequently forwarded to all the concerned bodies immediately. All citizens would be able to report their problems to the central system using a single number once this system comes into the operation. This will certainly help streamline and expedite the response to emergency texts or calls sent by individuals via mobile or landline phones. This will also greatly help ensure the government’s goal of providing prompt and effective emergency services to people in times of need. The plan, as reported by Home Ministry officials, to bring various emergency services including ambulances, firefighting, police and even primary health services in order to ensure a comprehensive approach to handling any emergency situation is commendable in view of the fact that responses to emergency situations at present takes relatively longer time.
Supreme Court’s laudable intervention
The initiative to establish a central information hub will serve as the nerve center for receiving and processing emergency reports. This centralized system will simplify the reporting process and enable authorities concerned to make prompt responses in a more effective manner. As a newspaper, we applaud the initiative taken by Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha to establish a central information hub to expedite response in the event of any emergency situation. The proposal to introduce a single, unified number for all emergency reports is a commendable move towards simplifying and unifying the reporting process. Most countries around the world are practicing this approach to improving overall emergency response mechanisms. The plan to create a mechanism that will allow citizens to report emergencies through a single number will not only simplify the reporting process but also ensure that the information reaches the relevant authorities on a real time basis. Once this system comes into operation, this will set a milestone to enhance overall emergency response in the country.
