UK Ambassador Fenn Joins Heat Action Day to Promote Heat Wave Preparedness in Nepal

KATHMANDU: British Ambassador to Nepal Rob Fenn participated in Heat Action Day on 12 June in Kathmandu, an event organized by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) under the global theme Beat The Heat. The event highlighted urgent efforts to address rising temperatures and protect vulnerable communities from the growing threat of heatwaves.

Through the UK-funded RAIN (Risk-Informed Early Action Partnership) programme, the Early Action Consortium, led by People in Need Nepal, is implementing heatwave preparedness initiatives in Nepal’s Terai region. The initiative works in coordination with Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Ministry of Population and Environment, and local governments.

Key actions include raising heat risk awareness through radio and Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs), establishing mobile water stations in urban areas, conducting health outreach targeting Dalit and landless families, and enhancing early action coordination with local authorities based on weather forecasts.

Ambassador Fenn emphasized the importance of acting early to protect lives, especially in vulnerable areas. “These local solutions, backed by strong partnerships, are critical to helping communities adapt to extreme heat,” he said.