The document summarizes European Commission humanitarian aid projects in Nepal funded by DIPECHO, the Disaster Preparedness programme of the ECHO department. It describes 9 projects implemented by NGO partners focused on building community resilience and disaster preparedness in flood-prone and remote regions of Nepal. The projects establish early warning systems, train local stakeholders, build community disaster management committees, and help vulnerable communities mitigate and respond to natural disasters. In total, over 300,000 people will benefit from these projects funded under the 5th DIPECHO Action Plan for South Asia.

1. EUROPEAN COMMISSION
Humanatarian Aid
Supported by European Commission through its Humanitarian Aid department
DIPECHO Newsletter Nepal
August 2009
Building Community Resilience to Recurrent Floods in the Terai Region of Nepal, Oxfam
DIPECHO
Message from Dominique Feron, DIPECHO Oxfam is implementing "Building Community Resilience for Disaster Management (CDM) in Nawalparasi . The
representative in Nepal DIPECHO is the Disaster Preparedness to Recurrent Floods in the Terai Region of Nepal” beneficiaries are 21,607 persons
Programme of the European Commission’s project under the DIPECHO 5th Action Plan for South including women, men, children, disabled, senior
Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO), the Asia. The project was launched in three most flood prone citizens and students.
The DIPECHO program was set up originally by ECHO to im- largest single humanitarian donor in the terai districts facing the worst effects of floods each year
prove the capacities of communities at risk to better prepare world. ECHO has clearly recognised the - Saptari, Sarlahi and Nawalparasi Districts covering ten
and protect themselves against natural hazards. importance of disaster preparedness in its VDCs.
Overall South Asia and further more Nepal’s communities are mandate. In 1996, ECHO launched a spe- The project aims at reducing the vulnerability of poor and
cific programme, the DIPECHO (Disaster marginalised communities by strengthening the capacity
an obvious choice for such an objective. Too many Nepalese
Preparedness ECHO) dedicated to disaster of the most vulnerable communities and institutions to
communities are plagued with socio-economic vulnerability and preparedness. The DIPECHO programme prepare for and respond to flood disasters. The objective
striking natural disasters. That’s why ECHO is now launching a funds pilot projects intended to demon- of the project will be achieved by implementing key
fifth DIPECHO plan for South Asia, with Nepal having again the strate that simple, inexpensive preparatory activities such as launching district level meetings,
biggest share of measures, particularly those implemented development of operational structure of Community
funding. by communities themselves, can limit Disaster Management Committees (CDMCs) and
damage, increase resilience and save lives. organising meetings at community and VDC level to
Besides the high level of Nepal’s exposure to calamities, establish VDMCs. The project is implemented in partner-
DIPECHO’s focus on Nepal is as well the result of the great level ship with Koshi Victim’s Society (KVS)in Saptari, Bagmati
Welfare Society Nepal (BWSN)in Sarlahi and the Centre
of implementing capacity of its partners on the ground. To date
they have been instrumental to develop expertise among vari-
ous stakeholders involved at all level of the society, and have Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDR), Handicap International
enhanced awareness among the general population. This year, Handicap International (HI) is implementing DIPECHO cies and other stakeholders to enable them to main-
one can only hope that a new line will be crossed with a better V project entitled “Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction in stream disability issues into disaster management, and
sustainability of everybody’s efforts. Indeed, the multiplication Nepal (IDDR) in Kanchanpur, Dang, Nawalparasi, Palpa, vice versa.
Gorkha, Baglung, Sarlahi and Morang Districts.
effect must become more tangible with a wider spread of good
HI DIPECHO V assures success by enhancing the ca-
practice and a durable preparedness for a larger part of the The overall objective of the project is to strengthen the pacities of partners and stakeholders working on disas-
population. There is still a long way to go, but DIPECHO is ready capacities of concerned stakeholders through empower- ter preparedness to mainstream disability into disaster
to play its part in this process. ment, participation, implementation of inclusive DRR management through various new initiatives on inclusive
activities, awareness raising, advocacy, technical guidance DRR at community level. The project beneficiaries are
and coordination among local partner NGOs, DRR agen- 24,000 Individuals and 198 Stakeholders.
DIPECHO 5th South Asian Plan
Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives (KDRRI) II, Mercy Corps
On 5 December 2008, the European Commission The DIPECHO programme was set up in this context
Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives project will be achieved by building capacity
adopted the Humanitarian Aid Decision ECHO/DIP/ by ECHO to improve the capacities of communities at
(KDRRI) II project aims to contribute to through trainings, workshops and sessions
BUD/2009/02000 “Fifth DIPECHO Action Plan for risk to better prepare and protect themselves against
the overall disaster risk reduction strategy targeting the direct and indirect
South Asia”. The total amount of the Decision is EUR natural hazards.
in Nepal, focusing primarily on support to beneficiaries.
10,000,000. It covers the period 15 June 2009 – 14
local communities and institutions. The
December 2010. The overriding objective of this DIPECHO Action Plan is
project was launched in 15 June 2009 Sustainability of the project will be
“to reduce the vulnerability of South Asian
with its implementing partner Nepal Red enhanced by linking communities to VDC
The activities of the European Commission Humanitarian populations living in areas most affected by natural
Cross Society in ten communities of Kailali and district support networks and
Aid department (ECHO) in the field of Disaster disasters” - increasing the awareness and the response
District. integrating community plans into VDC and
Preparedness are “to ensure preparedness for risks of capacities of local communities to potential and
district plans. At the local and national
natural disasters or comparable circumstances and use frequent natural disasters and to reduce the effects of
The objective of KDRRI II is to increase levels, the project is working closely with
a suitable rapid early-warning and intervention system”. these disasters on the most vulnerable.
the resilience and reduce vulnerability authorities, organisations and partners,
by supporting strategies that enable local thus ensuring ownership and sustainability.
communities and institutions to better The beneficiaries of the project are 12,446
prepare for, mitigate, and respond to inhabitants and 11,300 students in targeted
natural disasters. The objective of the communities.

2. Increased resilience to natural disasters for remote and SEWIN (Scaling up Early Warning Systems in Nepal), Practical Action
vulnerable mountain communities in Humla District, With the learning from DIPECHO I, III and IV, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) programmes through
Karnali Zone, Nepal, Mission East Practical Action is implementing a 15 month project development and establishment of EWS and strengthening
SEWIN (Scaling up Early Warning Systems in Nepal) capacities of community to live with and adapt to flood. This
In the frame of a global strategy that the event of a disaster. – DIPECHO V with its local partners Centre for Social includes a range of skills development training, supporting
addresses chronic poverty in the The objective of the project is to Development and Research (CSDR) in Banke, Radha live saving equipment and materials; and establishment of
remote areas of the Karnali zone, enable local communities and Krishna Tharu Janasewa Kendra (RKJS) in Bardia and community managed assets and infrastructures to assist
Mission East is implementing water institutions of the target districts to SAHAMATI in Chitwan and Nawalparasi. communities on their DRR initiatives.
and sanitation, food security and prepare for, mitigate and respond
livelihood development projects to natural disasters. The project is The overall objective of SEWIN - DIPECHO V project EWS will be established based on ‘linkages of upstream
in Humla and Mugu Districts. The implemented in Humla and Jumla is to reduce the vulnerability of communities living flood gauging station established by Department of Hydrology
DIPECHO operation will consolidate District of Nepal in partnership with in flood prone areas of Nepal by the establishment of and Meteorology to communities living at risk downstream.
and strengthen the above men- KIRDARC. The beneficiaries are community based flood early warning systems. The project beneficiaries are 80126 people from the target
tioned projects and mitigate adverse 63,178 people, including 60,000 Practical Action is promoting community based Districts.
impact of natural disaster by adding people via radio awareness message
DRR project components, as well as and 3,178 within 10 to 15 target
increasing capacity of local villages from 7 VDC, staff from local
authorities for better preparation in partner and from local authorities. Surakshit Samudaya II: Building Disaster Resilient Communities, Nepal, Action Aid
ActionAid is implementing “Surakshit Samudaya II: ActionAid is also working closely with other DIPECHO part-
Building Disaster Resilient Communities, Nepal” ners in the country, so as to ensure cross learning, resource
SAFE - Safer Communities through SAMADHAN - Building disaster resilience of project in Sunsari, Udayapur and Banke District in optimisation and collective advocacy. The project benefi-
Multi-Hazard Risk Reduction, Danish partnership with UPCA Nepal (Sunsari), Nav Prabhat ciaries are 13854 people in 30
vulnerable communities in Nepal, CARE Nepal Nepal (Udayapur), BEE Group (Banke) and Co-Action administrative wards.
Red Cross Nepal (Chitwan).
SAFE - “Safer Communities through Multi- SAMADHAN - “Building disaster resilience of vulnerable com-
munities in Nepal” project is implemented by CARE-Nepal The overall objective is to contribute to the disaster
Hazard Risk Reduction” project of Danish Red
since 15 June 2009 in two most remote and disaster prone risk reduction measures in Nepal through community
Cross, the DIPECHO project under 5th Action
Districts - Kailali and Doti in Far-Western region of Nepal. based disaster preparedness initiatives. The rights of
Plan for South Asia was launched in two most
disaster vulnerable people will be ensured through
remote and disaster prone Districts - Myagdi and
The objective of the project is to create disaster resilient informed government officers and other stakeholders,
Okhaldunga in Nepal. The project aims at
communities by strengthening their disaster management and informed parliamentarian to provide an
reducing the vulnerability of poor and
capacities and improving the CBDRM practices among the appropriate DRR policy framework. Some model small
marginalised communities living in areas most
most vulnerable communities. The overall goal of the project scale mitigation works will demonstrate the need for
affected by disasters in order to enable them to
is to contribute to the achievement of the Hyogo Framework safety measures. The DIPECHO V project is building
withstand and minimise the impacts of
for Action in Nepal through the development of community on the experiences and lessons learned from DIPECHO
disasters.
resiliency. III & IV, wherein PVA and REFLECT processes will
Main activities of the project include form the core of community mobilisation and
capacity building through trainings and The key activities in the project include PVCA and risk map- education. Key gaps in DRR policy framework will be
simulation exercises, formation of Disaster ping, training on CBDRM and assessment to identify mitiga- addressed through community led advocacy
Preparedness Units, Disaster Preparedness and tion activities. The primary beneficiaries are 1,567 HH cover- efforts, linking the vulnerable people to the
Response planning, establishment of District ing 9,522 individuals including women, children, disabled, government systems and mechanisms in Nepal.
Disaster Response Team, establishment of Dalits, Janajatis, freed Kamaiyaas, and people affected with
community based EWS, and construction of HIV and AIDS. This information bulletin has been produced by DIPECHO project in Nepal with support from European Commission
small scale mitigation structures. Other key under its Humanitarian Aid department. The contents and information has been provided by ActionAid; CARE
aspect of the project is to improve the Nepal; Danish Red Cross; Handicap International; Mercy Corps; Mission East Nepal; Oxfam and Practical Action.
community ownership of the project, This issue is published and circulated by Practical Action on behalf of DIPECHO partners in Nepal. To know more
coordination with government and important about DIPECHO and individual projects, please contact Dominique Feron for DIPECHO at hoo@echo-kathmandu.
stakeholders for sustainable impact of the org and for respective project managers at Krishnan.pv@actionaid.org (ActionAid), santosh@carenepal.org (CARE),
project at different levels so that the project drcdp@mos.com.np (Red Cross), dppm@hi-nepal.org (Handicap International), info@np.mercycorps.org (Mercy
impact is not limited to the communities and Corps), Christophe.belperron@miseast.org (Mission East-Nepal), svanleuffel@oxfam.org.uk (Oxfam), deb.bej@practi-
geographical location targeted through the calaction.org (Practical Action),
project. The project beneficiaries are 1,278
www.dipechonepal.org
households covering 7,029 individuals.