• Hospital preparedness programmes are also being implemented by the government in public and private sectors

Kathmandu, April 23

Nepal has achieved notable progress in Disaster Risk Management and Climate Risk Management during the last few decades.

According to a report ‘Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal: Achievements, Challenges and Ways Forward’ published by the Ministry of Home Affairs, a number of legal, institutional and policy frameworks are already in place and the new constitution has made provisions of disaster management at different levels of government.

“All concerned government agencies have assigned one senior officer as the Disaster and Climate Change Focal Person and hence there is a pool of human resources dedicated to Disaster Risk Management/Climate Risk Management,  and sharing and exchange of ideas has become much effective. Similarly, the government has given priority to streamline DRR into development planning process with monitoring indicators and implementation of a 15-year Sustainable Development Agenda of Nepal (2002-2017),” said the report.

In addition, the government has incorporated disaster management subjects in school curricula, and prepared school improvement plan and school sector development plan.

Likewise, several academic and educational institutions have started various programmes on disaster management.

“Hospital preparedness programmes are also being implemented by the government in public and private sectors. National Emergency Operational Centre has been established and operationalised at national level. Likewise, there are more than four dozen Emergency Operation Centers at regional and district level,” it read.

Similarly, basic level Early Warning System has been established in five major river basins, linking them with EOCs and communities. According to the report, as many as 83 open space points have been identified within Kathmandu Valley for shelter in the event of major disasters and in a few open spaces infrastructure development is under construction.

Efforts are being made to ensure supply of safe drinking water, emergency kits, and shelter with warehouse capacity.

Implementation of National Building Code has been made mandatory in all municipalities. The establishment and institutionalisation of an authentic and open Disaster Risk Management System and GIS-based Disaster Information Management System have been initiated. The DRR portal has been collecting, analysing and disseminating information.

Cluster approach has been institutionalised for effective implementation and better coordination in disaster management. There are 11 clusters in operation (search and rescue food security, health, nutrition, water and sanitation, education, protection, emergency shelter, logistics, emergency communication, and early recovery). The government has already initiated the process of operationalising medium and light Search and Rescue teams as well.

Moreover, Get Airport Ready is another significant activity Nepal has initiated. Establishment of the Humanitarian Staging Area is one of the major activities under GAR initiative in Nepal, said the report.