1 May 2024, NIICE Commentary 9066
Khimlal Devkota
Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas, Nepal is known for its breathtaking landscapes and cultural heritage. However, this picturesque country is also frequently exposed to various natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, and avalanches due to its harsh terrain and climatic conditions. Effective disaster management is essential to minimize loss of life, livelihoods, and infrastructure. This article addresses the challenges of disaster management in Nepal and examines strategies to mitigate these risks.
Reality Check
When Nepal was in the phase of drafting its constitution, the issue of disaster management was a neglected issue. This was never mentioned in the first Constituent Assembly. When a devastating earthquake occurred, it opened the minds of the members of the Constituent Assembly. Finally, in the exclusive list of 22 local governments established by the constitution, it is ranked 20th in the field of disaster management.
Similarly, there is the Comprehensive Disaster Management Act 2074 and the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Regulations 2076 (DRRM&M Act 2019), which were approved by the Government of Nepal in 2019. The DRR&M Act is an important legal framework that Coordinates the entire natural disaster management process in the country.
All local governments must actively participate in their risk and emergency management, and promote a community vision for disaster preparedness and recovery. Local authorities are responsible for providing many important services to people and businesses in defined areas. These include well-known functions such as social services, schools, housing, planning, and waste collection, but also lesser-known functions such as licensing, business support, registration, and pest control.
Challenges in Disaster Management Natural Disasters
Nepal is vulnerable to many types of natural disasters due to its geographical location. The country is located in a seismically active zone, and the 2015 earthquake clearly demonstrated the devastating effects that earthquakes can have on a country like Nepal. Additionally, monsoon rains trigger floods and landslides which affect millions of people each year.
One of our greatest challenges in disaster management is the limited resources at our disposal. Although Nepal understands the importance of disaster management, the country still faces constraints from the limited resources at its disposal. Preparedness and response efforts are hampered by insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of qualified human resources.
The Geography of Nepal is an open door for disaster to walk into every season. Furthermore, Nepal’s rugged terrain poses as a major challenge to relief and disaster relief operations. Isolated mountainous areas are often inaccessible due to a lack of connectivity, making it even more difficult to reach the affected populations and provide immediate assistance.
The impact of Climate Change is another major challenge for Nepal. The melting of ice caps in the Himalayas and glacial calvings are typical challenges for Himalayan countries like Nepal. The effects of climate change, such as erratic weather patterns and melting glaciers, further increase Nepal’s vulnerability to disasters. These changes will increase the frequency and intensity of natural disasters and require adaptation measures.
Lack of Coordination between and among different levels of government and inter agencies has been a persistent problem of the country. Nepal’s biggest challenge has always been a lack of coordination. Currently, Nepal has a federal system of 761 governments with full power and authority to exercise national power as provided by the new constitution. Therefore, proper adjustment to this transition is very essential yet it is not happening efficiently.
The conflict for the allocation of resources between different authorities is another major hurdle for the country to mitigate disaster management. The Disaster Management Act was completed after a long and arduous process. The problem however arose on the issue of the use of funds or resources. Handling of the fund was a key issue between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Office and the Prime Minister. Additionally, higher authorities of the country are intended to use funds for their benefit rather than according to the needs of the time. The reflection of this was seen during the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an exercise of delegation of power from the federal level responsibilities have been given to the local and provincial governments. The Government of Nepal invoked the Infectious Diseases Act, of 1963, which is meant to deal with all disasters, including infectious diseases. This is an outdated act and is not able to address the recent pandemic and disaster, on the other hand, the Disaster Management Act is in place as an appropriate law. Again, due to the conflicting power and authority, the outdated law was chosen. The Prime Minister had all the power at his disposal over the Ministry of Home.
Strategies to Mitigate the Challenges of Disaster Management Risk
Nepal still finds itself lacking in the area of Strategies for Effective Disaster Management Risk Assessment and Early Warning Systems. Before one can identify areas and populations at risk, it is essential to conduct a comprehensive risk assessment. A robust early warning system in place can provide timely warnings, allowing communities to be evacuated and authorities to initiate immediate response measures.
Capacity Building and Training are needed for disaster management appropriately. Investments in capacity building and training programs are essential to improving the preparedness and response capabilities of disaster management agencies and communities. Training efforts should focus on first aid, search and rescue techniques, and disaster response procedures.
Infrastructure Development for the disaster-friendly is to be listed as a priority of the government. Strengthening the resilience of infrastructure is important to minimize the impact of disasters. Loss of life and property can be reduced by building earthquake-resistant buildings, strengthening riverbanks, and establishing emergency shelters in high-risk areas.
Community Engagement and Participation are other requirements for the proper management of a disaster in any society. Involving communities in disaster preparedness and response promotes resilience and self-reliance. Community-based organizations play an important role in disseminating information, conducting training, and coordinating local response efforts.
Unless and until without the Multi-stakeholder collaboration nothing can be a success. Effective disaster management requires collaboration between government agencies, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector. By coordinating efforts, sharing resources, and leveraging expertise, we can optimize response efforts and strengthen resilience at all levels.
Conclusion
Nepal is vulnerable to natural disasters and it requires serious proactive measures to reduce risks and strengthen its resilience after disasters. Addressing disaster management challenges requires a multifaceted approach that includes risk assessment, capacity building, infrastructure development, community engagement, and collaborative partnerships. By implementing these strategies and investing in preparedness measures, Nepal can minimize the human and economic impact of disasters, protect the well-being of its people, and promote sustainable development. Finally, governments must comply with international protocols and respond to any disasters following legal instruments, including national constitutions and laws.
Khimlal Devkota is a Senior Advocate at, the Supreme Court of Nepal, and Teaching faculty of Disaster Management, at the Institute of Crisis Management, Nepal.
