Natural Disaster Management in Nepal - An update

1. Natural Disaster Management in Nepal- An update OCHA Contact Group Meeting 11 July 2007

2. The Focus of this Update • Coordination mechanisms • Sector specific initiatives • Policy level initiatives • Regional initiatives • Community level initiatives

3. Coordination mechanisms • International organizations- IASC chaired by the UN RC and HC • Government set up – Central and District Natural Disaster Relief Committee at the central and district level that are chaired by the Hon. Home Minister and CDO respectively • National organizations – DP-Net

4. Existing Institutional Structure Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee Supply, Shelter and Rehabilitation Relief and Treatment Sub-committee Sub-committee Regional Natural Disaster Relief Committee District NaturalDisaster Relief Committee Local NaturalDisaster Relief Committee

5. Proposed Institutional Framework- Alternative 1 Disaster Management Council Chairperson - Prime Minister Vice Chairperson - Minister for Home Affairs Member Secretary – Executive Director Preparedness Management Committee Chairperson – MOLD Member Secretary – Executive Director Rescue and Relief Management Committee Chairperson – MOHA Member Secretary – Executive Director Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Management Committee Chairperson – MPPW Member Secretary – Executive Director District Disaster Management Committee Chairperson – Chief District Officer Member Secretary – Local Development Officer Preparedness Sub Sub- Committee Chairperson – DDC Chairperson or his nominee Member Secretary – LDO Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Committee Chairperson – Chief of District Office of MPPW or the Government Office related to Development works Member Secretary – LDO Rescue and Relief Sub Sub- Committee Chairperson – Chief District Officer Member Secretary – LDO Local Disaster Management Committee Chairperson – Mayor, Municipality/ VDC Chairperson Member Secretary – Chief Executive Officer, Municipality/ VDC Secretary

6. Proposed Institutional Framework- Alternative 2 National Commission for Disaster Risk Management (NCDRM) Ministries (Focal points for Disaster Risk Management), Departments Facilitate, Guide, Monitor for Incorporation and Implementation of DRM National Authority for Disaster Risk Management (NADRM) Facilitate, Guide, Monitor for Incorporation and Implementation of DRM District level Line Agencies, Emergency Response Organizations, NGOs, Research Centers District Authority for Disaster Risk Management (DADRM) Municipal Authority for Disaster Risk Management (MADRM) Village Development Committees (VDC) Community Based Organizations (CBO)

7. Coordination mechanisms-Some recent initiatives • Inter-agency Natural Disaster Contingency Planning Workshops based on the cluster approach • Central level in Kathmandu • Western Region in Nepalganj • Eastern Region in Biratnagar • Data preparedness

8. Some sector specific initiatives • Food Security • Health and Nutrition - Emergency Health and Nutrition Working Group • Education – Disaster management through school preparedness

9. Policy level initiatives • Natural Calamity Relief Act, 1982 • Disaster Management Act (Draft) • National Policy On Disaster Management (Draft) • Expedited Customs Agreement • National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management in Nepal (Draft)

10. Regional initiatives • Disaster Management Action Plans- 6 prepared, 4 more under development • District / Municipality level disaster preparedness • Regional warehousing

11. Community level initiatives • Community level disaster preparedness • Disaster risk mitigation • Early warning systems • Recovery Merlin

12. A special gratitude to our donors • AusAid • DFID • ECHO • Government of France • Government of Japan • OFDA/USAID • World Bank

13. Thank you