Date: 5-9 February 2025
Location: Communities of Ratnanagar, Madi, Kalika, and Khairahani Municipality, Bagmati Province
Nepal, one of the world’s most disaster-prone and vulnerable countries. The nation acknowledges CBDRM as a priority but challenges persist in resource allocation and coordination among national, provincial, and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector. A notable gap in the proposed operational area is the evident lack of concrete actions taken by local government entities and the community to improve preparedness for recurrent disasters, despite the region’s frequent exposure to such events. As a result, the impact of various hazards on at-risk communities is uneven.
Continuing the momentum of the activities outlined under the Asian Disaster Readiness Fund (ADRF) proposal, the Nepal Preparedness Partnership (NPP) organized CBDRM/Task Force Formation and Orientation workshops in 4 Municipalities of Bagamati Province from 5-9 February 2025.
Addressing the Need for Localized Disaster Management
Many local governments and communities struggle with securing financial and technical resources for effective disaster risk management. With the frequent recurrence of floods, landslides, and other natural calamities, communities must be equipped with the necessary tools and training to respond effectively. The role of local community engagement in disaster risk management is very crucial because these communities are the first to experience the impacts of disasters and act correspondingly as essential first responders. The event emphasized implementing the Community-Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) approach, to empower local communities to actively participate in identifying risks, vulnerabilities, and resources and ensure that disaster management strategies are grounded in local realities and align with community priorities.
Key Objectives of the Event
The CBDRM training and task force formation focused on:
- Strengthening community knowledge and capacity in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.
- Ensuring that diverse vulnerabilities—including gender, disability, and social inclusion—are considered in disaster management planning.
- Establishing a structured communication mechanism with the Local Emergency Operations Center (LEOC) for timely early warnings and effective response.
- Enhancing community-wide awareness and education regarding disaster risks and mitigation measures.
Engaging a Diverse Set of Stakeholders
The event witnessed the participation of provincial and local government officials, community leaders, and representatives from various sectors, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to disaster management.
The event witnessed the participation of provincial and local government officials, community leaders, and representatives from various sectors, ensuring a holistic and inclusive approach to disaster management.
Participation Breakdown:
- Total Participants:
- Ratnanagar Municipality: 28
- Kalika Municipality: 61
- Madi Municipality: 45
- Khairahani Municipality: 76 (across two locations)
- Sector Representation: Government bodies, NGOs/CSOs, private sector representatives, academia, and local organizations.
- Gender Inclusion: A strong emphasis was placed on involving women in leadership roles within the newly formed CBDRM committees.
Key Milestone: Formation of CBDRM Committees and Task Forces
One of the significant outcomes of the event was the successful establishment of CBDRM committees across the selected municipalities. These committees are tasked with leading disaster risk management efforts at the local level. Additionally, six specialized task forces were formed to cover key areas Pre-During-Post disasters:
1. Information and Early Warning
| Phase | Activities |
| Pre-Disaster | Receive early warning information from media and other sources. Coordinate with the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for early warning systems. Provide disaster-related information to agencies and stakeholders. Hold community discussions and submit reports. Coordinate with media and local journalists. |
| During Disaster | Share information with emergency operation centers, police, army, and Red Cross. Gather updates on damages and responses. Assess additional vulnerabilities and impacts on livelihoods. |
| Post-Disaster | Continue reviewing disaster impacts and vulnerabilities. |
2. Search and Rescue
| Phase | Activities |
| Pre-Disaster | Identify safe shelter locations. Coordinate with emergency operation centers and security forces for rescue material preparation. Identify capable community members for rescue operations. Prepare a priority assistance list for vulnerable groups. |
| During Disaster | Execute search and rescue operations. |
| Post-Disaster | Document rescued individuals, property, and livestock. Report missing or deceased persons and animals to relevant authorities. |
3. Rapid Assessment and Relief Management
| Phase | Activities |
| Pre-Disaster | Store relief materials at the community level. Identify public land for resettlement. Coordinate with rescue teams for shelter locations. Prepare rapid survey forms. |
| During Disaster | Manage relief efforts as per action plans. Distribute grants and aid. Deploy rapid assessment teams. |
| Post-Disaster | Arrange safe settlements for displaced families. Facilitate housing repairs and resettlement support. |
4. First Aid, Health, and Sanitation
| Phase | Activities |
| Pre-Disaster | Arrange first aid materials. Coordinate with local health posts. Raise public awareness on health and hygiene. |
| During Disaster | Provide immediate first aid and send severe cases to health facilities. |
| Post-Disaster | Conduct cleanliness activities in shelters. Monitor and report epidemic outbreaks. |
5. Damage and Need Assessment
| Phase | Activities |
| Pre-Disaster | Collect data on possible losses. Ensure sample forms for damage assessment are available. Train volunteers in damage assessment. |
| During Disaster | Provide authorities with damage data for assistance. |
| Post-Disaster | Conduct detailed damage analysis. Review response activities and identify gaps. |
6. Protection
| Phase | Activities |
| Pre-Disaster | Develop community disaster risk reduction plans with gender equality and social inclusion. Conduct orientation on gender equality and protection. Provide safety awareness for vulnerable groups. |
| During Disaster | Monitor and address discrimination, violence, and abuse. Arrange legal aid and counseling. Support search and reunification of families. |
| Post-Disaster | Protect vulnerable individuals and families based on humanitarian standards. |
Orientation of the CBDRM committees
To ensure that newly elected committee members fully understood their roles, responsibilities, and overall functions within the disaster management framework their orientation served as a foundational step in strengthening local disaster governance and preparedness by equipping committee members with the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their duties effectively.
Highlights of the orientation
Introduction to CBDRM and Its Importance
- Understanding the significance of community-led disaster preparedness, response, and recovery efforts.
- The role of CBDRM in enhancing resilience at the grassroots level and its integration with municipal and national DRRM frameworks.
Roles and Responsibilities of Committee Members
- Defining the specific duties of committee members, such as risk assessment, emergency response coordination, resource mobilization, and community awareness activities.
- Clarifying the reporting structure and communication channels between local governments, community stakeholders, and disaster response agencies.
- Assigning responsibilities to ensure equitable participation and inclusivity, especially considering gender, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles in disaster planning and response.
Understanding the Legal and Policy Framework
- Overview of relevant national laws, policies, and guidelines related to disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
Disaster Preparedness and Response Planning
- Conducting hazard mapping, risk analysis, and vulnerability assessments within their respective communities.
- Coordination with municipal disaster management authorities and local service providers for emergency relief distribution and recovery efforts.
Challenges and Problem-Solving Strategies
- Identifying potential barriers, such as limited funding, lack of technical expertise, and community engagement challenges and developing adaptive strategies to address them.
Anticipated Impact and Next Steps
The establishment of CBDRM committees and task forces is expected to bring about transformative changes in how communities prepare for and respond to disasters. Some key anticipated outcomes include:
- Enhanced disaster preparedness at the grassroots level.
- Improved communication and coordination between communities and disaster management authorities.
- Greater inclusivity in decision-making, ensuring that the needs of women, elderly individuals, people with disabilities, and marginalized groups are met.
- Regular training and simulation exercises to ensure the effectiveness of the CBDRM framework.
The municipalities and NPP plan to continue engaging local stakeholders by conducting follow-up training sessions, drills, and public awareness campaigns to strengthen disaster resilience at the community level.
This initiative marks a critical step toward a community-led disaster management system, ensuring that preparedness and response mechanisms are locally led and effective.
