Mainstreaming DRR into National Plan, Policies and Programmes in Nepal Present to: Regional Workshop on Geo-referenced Disaster Risk Management information System in South and South West Asia and Central Asia July 11 th 2012,Kathmandu Presented by: Purushottam Ghimire, Joint Secretary National Planning Commission Secretariat,Nepal 1 Background and context of DRR and GIS Nepal is one of the 20 most disaster-prone countries in the world. The data on human mortality for the period 1971-2007 recorded more than 27,000 deaths, 50,000 injuries, 3,000 missing and approximately 5 million affected people. More people are killed by disasters in Nepal than in any other country in South Asia. Nepal is a disaster-prone country mainly due to its young geology, mountainous terrain, and widespread poverty. 2
Background and context of DRR and GIS Cont.. Major types of disasters in Nepal include floods, earthquakes, droughts, landslides, epidemics, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods, fire, and ecological hazards. Less devastating disasters include avalanches, rainstorms, hailstorms, stampedes, and industrial accidents. Among the major disasters, floods, landslides, fire, drought and epidemics are the most frequent and are usually deadly. Nepal stands at 11th and 30th position in term of earthquake and water induced vulnerabilities respectively in the world. 3 Background and context of DRR and GIS Cont.. Nepal is exposed to multiple hazards, most prominently earthquakes, floods, landslides, windstorms, hailstorms, fires, Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) Earthquakes are an infrequent hazard event, but Nepal is considered to be a high seismic-risk country Climate change and variability in weather patterns too have aggravated disaster vulnerability in Nepal Most policies and plans are focused on post-disaster activities There is a visible disconnect between different sector policies and plans 4
Current Institutional Arrangements for DRM in Nepal Natural Calamity Act 1982, a major legal instrument, as the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) system and is traditionally relief and response oriented In 2009, government of Nepal has formulated and approved the National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (NSDRM) in Nepal which is fully aligned with Hyogo Framework for Action (HFA) 2005 Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium has been formulated by the government of Nepal which has been supported by the donor communities in identified 5 priorities (Five Flagship program) among the 29 programme recommended by the NSDRM. Climate change is also considered as new thematic area in disaster as per the recommendation by National Adaptation Progarm of Action (NAPA). DRR and CRM focal points system has been established at national and local level to integrate DRR/CRM issues in development process National Emergency Operation Center is established under MoHA to coordinate the emergency response services for 24 hours New legislation is in the process of finalization 5 DRR into National Plan and Policies National Planning Commission (NPC) has been formulating development plans and policies of the country under guidance of National Development Council (NDC) NPC has a prime responsibility to facilitate the implementation of development policies and programmes and its regular monitoring NPC has developed monitoring and evaluation framework which is applied to assess the progress made every year across all development sectors. National Planning Commission (NPC) has been actively promoting to mainstream DRR into development activities through its periodic development plans. 6
DRR Plan and Policies in Tenth Plan 2002 to 2007 The plan envisaged to prepare maps of the areas vulnerable to the various disasters and integrate it into geographical information system for 20 districts. The plan aimed to formulate sectoral plan based on disaster risk reduction prone to both manmade and natural disaster. It aimed to have warehouses in all regions with adequate stock piled up. Formulate law related to fire brigade services and expand the services. The plan aimed to adopt strategy to implement the building construction codes applicable to both government and private areas. The plan aimed to prepare land utilization policy. No significant progress have been achieved in the areas 7 DRR Plan and Policies in Interim plan 2007 to 2010 The plan envisaged to integrate DRR into the development priority with focused on strengthen natural disaster assessment prior to implementation of infrastructure construction. The plan recognized the impact of water induced disaster and aimed to have its prevention strategy such as short term, medium term and long term programme. It envisaged updating and implementing the national building code. It also aimed to initiate seasonal weather forecast. The plan aimed to expand watershed management programme and services throughout the country with basin approach. The plan aimed to prepare land utilization policy. No significant progress have been achieved in the areas 8
DRR Plan Policies and Program in Three Year Plan 2010 to 2013 The plan envisioned to establish Disaster Resilient Community in Nepal with primarily objective to minimize the loss of humanitarian as well as properties from any disaster. The new plan has given priority on the followings Disaster Management Strategy Emphasize on disaster prevention and reduction to reduce possible risks of disaster. Mainstreaming the disaster risk reduction in sectoral development policy and programs. Develop legal, policy, and institutional structures and enhance the capacity of executing agencies. Enhance the capacity of emergency preparedness and response to minimize the life and resources loss from the disaster. DRR Plan Policies and Program in Three Year 2010 to 2013 Cont Working Policy Before the implementation of any infrastructure development project, disaster risk reduction evaluation will be conducted and the provision of compulsory requirement to adopt risk reduction measures will be strictly followed. Arrangement will be made to adopt compulsorily the multi-disaster risk reduction measures compulsorily in the construction of any government and community buildings including schools, hospitals, health posts and government offices. Emphasis will be placed on the use of traditional and modern technology in the areas of disaster management. Formulation of risk sensitive land use plan and adoption of building code of conduct will be made compulsory in urban and urbanizing areas. The coordination and collaborative works among the government, nongovernment and the private sector will be effectively moved forward in the disaster management works. 10
Sectoral Plan and Policies in DRR of Current Plan (2010-2013 Agriculture Sector including food security with strategy and working policies Forests and Soil Conservation Decentralization, Self-governance and Local Development Health and Nutrition Population and Human Resource Hydro Electricity Water Induced Sector Road and Transports Building, Housing and Urban Development Environment and Climate Change Activities carried out by NPC to address DRR and GIS A Three day workshop was organized in past April to the DRR focal point of line ministries at the policy matter in Nagarkot with the help of UNDP, Nepal Process is ongoing to establish Central level GIS information system in NPC with the help of USAID, Nepal ICIMOD is ready to provide technical backup to this process Survey is ongoing to the key stakeholder under phase 1 including identify and evaluate existing GIS capabilities and resources throughout the Nepal government that could be used to enhance disaster management, development, planning and governance -Phase 2 nd - Establish a centralized GIS resource accessible to all necessary stakeholders Phase 3 rd _ Demonstrate how the GIS resources can promote data sharing between ministries and organization to support disaster risk reduction and planning. Implementation of RIO+20 Outcome documents for SD as a focal agency of UNCSD
Conclusion and Way forward DRM issues have been incorporated into national five year plan in first time in 10th five year plan (2002 to 2007). It envisaged to initiate DRM concerns such as piloting GIS maps detailing the vulnerability to the various disasters, formulate sector plan on disaster risk reduction, and to formulate guidelines in different areas. Three year plan (2007 to 2010) was focused to integrate DRR into the development priority with focus on strengthening natural disaster assessment prior to implementation of infrastructure development. The current three year plan (2010 to 2013) envisioned to establish Disaster Resilient Community in Nepal with strong commitment to implement the NSDRM 2009 (fully aligned with HFA 2005). Conclusion and Way forward Cont.. Looking into the progress achieved during the period, very little progress has been achieved in the areas. It has been now felt that the special attentions are required in the DRR/CRM issues to achieve the significant progress. The DRR/CRM issues have been incorporated in the national plan for a decade but no significant progress has been achieved. Sector ministries are the key stakeholders either to lead or to coordinate with stakeholders to implement the programme mentioned in the national plan. A strong mechanism is required to coordinate the inter ministries to implement the DRR/CRM programme mentioned in the national plan. The current three year national plan has covered the recent priorities mentioned above in the DRR/CRM areas. In recent years there is good collaboration between the government of Nepal and donor communities to support DRR/CRM through Nepal risk reduction consortium partnership.
Conclusion and Way forward Cont.. NPC has increased role to coordinate government ministries and donor communities in this context. National Platform on Disaster Risk Reduction has been established to coordinate the programme that will support establishing good relationship in term of creating synergy among stakeholders. Conclusion and Way forward Cont.. It is appropriate time to coordinate all the stakeholders for coherent complementing relationship to implement the national prioritized programme in government leadership. Programme intervention and outcomes need to be monitored and evaluated on a periodic basis. NPC, the national advisory body for the development issues to the government should look up this DRR/CRM issues in terms of its implementation and need to come up with appropriate solution such as a scaled up responsibilities to see DRR/CRM issues to make sure proposed programmes are well implemented by the stakeholders. The scaled up responsibility may need a steering committee at NPC s VC level or member level to oversee the DRR/CRM issues.
Thank You for your kind attention For further information, Please contact purughimire@yahoo.com : Purushottam Ghimire