Govt prepares primary draft of DRR Policy

Kathmandu, Apr. 29: The government has prepared the preliminary report of the National Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Policy and Strategic Action Plan: 2017-2030.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) Saturday said that the new policy and action plan would incorporate the lessons learned from 2015 earthquakes and other recent disasters as well as initiatives on climate change adaptation and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"We have prepared the preliminary report of the National DRR Policy with consultations with key stakeholder organisations, and national sharing workshop in February this year," said Shankar Hari Acharya, under-secretary of Disaster Preparedness and Response Section at the Disaster Management Division at the MoHA.

The new policy and action plan is a move from a disaster response oriented legal framework, National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (NSDRM 2009), and calamity relief to Disaster management and coordinated work for the improvement of overall disaster risk reduction and preparedness.

According to Acharya, the new policy and action plan has focused on disaster risk reduction, understanding risk of multiple disasters, mainstreaming DRR into development process, multi-hazard management and partnership among government, private sector, development partners and civil society.

The MoHA, Prime Minister's Office, National Planning Commission and key line ministries are putting their efforts together for the new roadmap for the post-2015 framework to address priorities under the Sendai Framework for DRR.

"A Working Committee, led by the Disaster Management Division, and six thematic working groups were formed to guide to policy formation process. Sub-national Consultation Workshops in Nepalgunj and Pokhara have been conducted while such workshops will be organized in Biratnagar and Kathmandu after local elections," said Acharya.

Likewise, district consultations were organized at Dolakha, Kailali, Panchthar, Nawalparasi, Gorkha, Jumla and Saptari.

During the group consultations, stakeholders have suggested adopting a clear communications and dissemination strategy and process needed to share the risk information, incorporate understanding of risk at school curriculum and make use of technologies such as mobile apps, websites, sms, radio and television.

"Likewise, they have suggested revision of building code and its strong implementation at the local levels, implementation mechanism for risk sensitive land use plan with incentives and penalties, and prepare guidelines for community contribution and mobilization for DRR," stated Acharya.

Suggestions include allocating at least 5 per cent of sector-wise budget for disaster risk reduction, retrofitting or reconstruction of critical infrastructures such as schools, health facilities, government and public infrastructure, relocation of settlements from high risk to low risk areas, and engaging private sector to identify and implement areas of joint DRR investments.

Nepal is prone to disasters such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, avalanches, epidemics, famines, windstorms and glacier lake outbursts.