International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: Ratna Prasad Dhungana’s Lifelong Commitment

A smiling man wearing a Red Cross ball cap stands in front of a local Red Cross building.

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For Ratna Prasad Dhungana, volunteering with the Red Cross has been a lifelong commitment, both to the organization and his rural community in Nepal’s far west. Dhungana began volunteering at 16 years old. Now, as district chapter president, he spearheads disaster preparedness programs throughout Achham — an area prone to earthquakes, landslides, and fires. Photo by Brad Zerivitz/American Red Cross

A white building with a Red Cross symbol on the side of it can be seen among hills and green trees.

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Local Red Cross volunteers and staff members gather with visiting representatives of the American Red Cross at the Achham district headquarters in Mangalsen. Photo by Brad Zerivitz/American Red Cross

A man wearing a Red Cross ball cap is seated at a desk and gestures with his hands while having a conversation.

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For Ratna Prasad Dhungana, volunteering with the Red Cross has been a lifelong commitment, both to the organization and his rural community in Nepal’s far west. Dhungana began volunteering at 16 years old. Now, as district chapter president, he spearheads disaster preparedness programs throughout Achham — an area prone to earthquakes, landslides, and fires. Photo by Brad Zerivitz/American Red Cross

October 13, 2026

For Ratna Prasad Dhungana, Nepal Red Cross Society Achham District Chapter President, volunteering with the Red Cross has been a lifelong commitment, both to the organization and his rural community in Nepal’s far west.

“My motivation … comes from my childhood,” he said. “I saw several people suffering from disasters, and I wanted to work with an organization helping disaster-impacted people. [The] Red Cross was the only one doing that work.”

Dhungana began volunteering at age 16. Now, as district chapter president, he spearheads disaster preparedness programs throughout Achham — an area prone to earthquakes, landslides, and fires. Twelve years ago, he successfully led efforts to build a blood bank in the district. More recently, he was the driving force behind the construction of a warehouse to store disaster response supplies locally — the only such warehouse in the district belonging to a nongovernmental organization.

Dhungana is particularly thrilled by the partnership between the Nepal Red Cross Society, the American Red Cross and other partners, which support disaster awareness education and preparation throughout his district.

The American Red Cross partners with local Red Cross and Red Crescent societies around the world to strengthen disaster preparedness, and the Nepal Red Cross Society is one of these partners. By providing technical support and funding for locally driven projects, we help create safer, healthier and more resilient communities together.

Red Cross teams collaborate with schools and local leaders, and develop evacuation plans, identify external resources, implement tools like early warning systems and communication strategies, and more.

“I am very happy with the project because the Red Cross is now connected to my rural district … These opportunities have connected with the most vulnerable people,” he said.

About the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction: The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was started in 1989, after a call by the United Nations General Assembly for a day to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. Held every October 13, the day celebrates how people and communities around the world are reducing their exposure to disasters and raising awareness about the importance of reining in the risks that they face.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.