Preliminary Recommendations of the

National Workshop on Pre-monsoon Disaster Preparedness

June 27, 2003 Kathmandu

A one day workshop on Pre-monsoon Disaster Preparedness was held by Nepal Center for Disaster Management (NCDM) in collaboration with the His Majesty's Government, Ministry of Home Affairs, UNDP, Action Aid Nepal, Lutheran World Federation and United Mission to Nepal on 27^th June, 2003 in the Park Hotel and Resort, Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu. The NCDM is a non-governmental organization (NGO) committed towards working for the cause of disaster management in the country. The Workshop was inaugurated by Mr. Tika Dutta Niraula, the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs. In an inaugural function chaired by the President of NCDM, Mr. Dipendra Purush Dhakal and conducted by its General Secretary Prof. Dr. Bishal Nath Uprety the welcome address was delivered by its Vice President, Professor Dr. Jiba Raj Pokharel. The workshop was attended by 78 participants representing 42 organizations and institutions including government offices and its line agencies, the international and national non-governmental organizations, the diplomatic and donor communities, academia, media and affected communities from the earlier disasters.  

The Workshop had twin objectives of identifying the gaps and at times even gulfs that exist between the plan and performance in the disaster management in Nepal and then to find ways and means by which these lacuna can be narrowed down or bridged to the extent possible.

In the second session of the Workshop, seven papers were presented covering wide spectrum of disaster related issues. The presentations were followed by questions and answers. People directly affected by the post-monsoon disaster from Matatirtha, Chitwan and Khotang also described about the aftermath of disasters.

The third session was devoted to three separate group discussions. The themes addressed in the groups were Logistics; Food & Agriculture and Health. The paper presenters and other experts facilitated the group discussions.

In the fourth session, the groups presented their conclusions focusing on the steps that should be taken in order to have a proper response, rescue and recovery activity.

Among other major recommendations, the workshop had suggested with utmost priority to recommend the following actions to be immediately implemented:

1.0.            The HMG/ Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) should immediately send directives to all Chief District Officers (CDOs) to hold meetings with the district and village level line agencies, District Development Committees (DDCs)/ Village Development Committees (VDCs)/ Municipalities and other locally active non-governmental groups for assessing the strength and weaknesses in the preparedness for the natural disaster that may cause during the monsoon season. The meeting should concentrate on:

a.            Taking stock of the available facilities including food, shelter and emergency health services.

b.            Mode of obtaining needed facilities in the time of disaster

c.            Repair and maintenance of the vehicles and equipments necessary to be deployed during the disasters

d.            Making Army and the Police alert with the situation.

e.            Keeping all communication systems, including those with the security officials, readily available in the time of the disaster

f.              Coordinating with the local bodies including authorities of the Municipalities/ DDC /VDC and locally active support groups.

The MHA should follow-up this matter with urgency to ensure that such meetings were conducted and aforementioned subjects were also fully assessed. While doing it, the Ministry should prioritize the districts having the higher risk of the monsoon disasters such as flood and landslides. The CDOs should be instructed to report regularly to the Ministry on the above.

2.0.            The Municipality/ DDC/ VDC authorities should hold meetings, as many times as necessary, participated by at least one of the member of the household, to discuss on the following subjects:

a.            Creation of a Local  Disaster Committee (LDC) chaired by the Municipality or the VDC authority

b.            Availability of the first aid facilities locally

c.            Establishment of a Local Disaster Fund (LDF), similar to the earlier concept of Dharmabhakari, through the contributions in cash or kind by the local households

d.            Likelihood of the occurrence of the flood or the landslide in view of the past experiences

e.            Possible victims in the wake of the flood or the landslide

f.              Places for displacement of the victims in the schools, office buildings, somebody's residence or the temporary shelters in the open areas

g.            Provision of food and clothing

h.            Prompt and most effective means of communication at the time of disaster

i.               Holding regular meetings of the LDC

The CDO should make follow-ups on whether or not the meeting has taken place deliberating on the aspects mentioned above. The LDC should be instructed to inform the CDO regularly on this aspect.

Commending the performances of the Department of Narcotics Control and Disaster Management (DNCDM), especially in the areas of search, rescue and relief the Workshop recommended having its role further strengthened to support the initiatives of all stakeholders in the activities related with preparedness for the natural calamities. It was the unanimous observation of the meeting that the DNCDM could be the most capable organization toin harnessing effective coordination among different governmental or non governmental agencies involved in disaster management at the national level. Thus, the meeting wished the DNCDM to become more proactive and demonstrate the role of an efficient facilitator in streamlining the implementation of all appropriate actions concerned with preparedness as well as post disaster management. The Workshop also concurred with the views of the Director General of the Department to organize similar kind of meetings on a regular basis, under the auspices of the DNCDM, to bring about necessary cooperation and coordination among the concerned stakeholders.

Statistical Disaster Situation Report

Covering period:- 10 June to 12 September, 2003