1. Be the change
Humanitarian Aid
Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives II (KDRRI II)
Duration : June 2009 - September 2010 Beneficiaries : Over 24,000 Individuals
Donors : European Commission through its Humanitarian Aid Amount : € 431,549
department under the Fifth DIPECHO Action Plan for Sector : Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)
South Asia-with co-financing from Mercy Corps (with Partner : Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS)
support from The Qatar Foundation - Reach Out to Asia) -Kailali District Chapter
Region : Far West
The Challenge prepare for and respond to floods to decrease their
Nepal has been classified as one of the global 'hot-spots' for dependency on external aid.
natural disasters (World Bank, 2005). Landslides and floods
(including flash floods) are among the principle recurring
hazards, claiming about 300 lives and causing the loss of over
1 billion Nepali rupees in property in an average year.
Additionally, most of the country's landmass falls into a high
seismic risk scale, increasing the probability of periodic
earthquakes. Contributing factors to vulnerability include a
lack of awareness and skills; insufficient preparedness, early A boat and low cost Toe Protection Gauge reader of Mohona River
warning, and mitigation practices; and, the development of measure using sand bags reading water level
settlements and public services in hazardous areas and
marginal lands, particularly for the poor. KDRRI worked with communities to reduce risk through
disaster preparedness planning, establishing an early
The Siwalik range in southern Nepal sees an annual sharp rise warning system, small scale mitigation measures and
of water flows followed by a rapid recession. This often causes engaging students in Young Rescuer Clubs. Consequently,
high flow velocities and little lapse time between the start of a when severe flooding hit Kailali district on September 20
flood and its peak discharge, leaving the population no or very 2008, the communities were well prepared, followed their
short warning time. The ensuing flash floods damage crops, evacuation plans and conducted search and rescue. The
lives, property and livelihoods. preparedness saved lives and significantly reduced the loss of
household assets compared to neighboring communities.
In September 2008, the Far Western region of Nepal
The disaster preparedness committees also help
witnessed the worst flooding in 25 years due to heavy late
communities to immediately engage in recovery and
monsoon rains (229mm of rainfall within 24 hrs, and over
rehabilitation works.
400mm of rain fall within 48 hrs). Several flash floods and
landslides affected 23,660 households, killing 15 people in
Kailali District. The damages caused by these devastating
floods to infrastructure, private property and livelihoods were
severe.
The Opportunity: Mercy Corps' Community Based Disaster
Risk Reduction Achievements and Extension
The Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative I (KDRRI I) Search and rescue team in action Door to door campaign for disaster
during drill risk reduction
Mercy Corps Nepal in partnership with Nepal Red Cross
Society Kailali District Chapter (NRCS Kailali) piloted the
Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiatives (KDRRI) from Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction Initiative II (KDRRI II)
November 2007 to April 2009. The project included six - Building on the success and learning
communities along the Mohana River and tributaries in the Building upon the lessons of KDRRI I, the KDRRI II project is
Far Western part of the Terai plain. The project aimed not only targeting 10 communities along the Kandara river in Kailali
to reduce the risk of flooding but also to help communities to district. The project further includes low intensity follow-up

2. activities in six communities covered under the KDRRI I. The The interventions will also include piloting re-enforcement of
communities are not only the most vulnerable to disaster, but mud-houses and grain storage units, to reduce the risks of
also provide the best opportunities for the replication of disaster to vulnerable families, while further supporting and
project activities and benefits in neighboring communities. developing bio-engineering riverbank protection schemes.
Replicating the best practices of KDRRI I, KDRRI II aims to The project is being implemented in partnership with Nepal
contribute to the overall disaster risk reduction strategy in Red Cross Society Kailali District Chapter. Mercy Corps
Nepal, focusing primarily on support to local communities and provides overall
institutions. Initiatives increasing resilience and reducing guidance,
vulnerability are built around capacity building trainings, technical,
workshops, and sessions targeting community members, management
local authorities, teachers and students. Community disaster and monitoring
management plans and early warning systems will ensure assistance to
preparedness; search and rescue and first aid teams will be the par tner. Evacuation shelter constructed with community
key players for response; small scale mitigation and bio- Sustainability contribution
engineering measures will further reduce vulnerability. will be enhanced by linking communities to Village
Development Committees (VDC) and district support networks
and integrating community plans into VDC and district plans.
At the local and national levels, the project is working closely
with authorities, organizations and partners, thus ensuring
ownership and sustainability.
KDRRI II Project VDCs
Inter school simulation First Aid Team practicing during Kailali Disaster Risk Reduction
Initiatives Project Area
refresher training
The project will specifically focus on expansion and
institutionalization of early warning systems on local and
national level and for sustainability of community based DRR
interventions, a training manual on community based early Ramsikhar Jhala
warning systems will be developed. With the Department of
Hydrology and Metrology the project will seek to pilot a
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For more information please contact:
MERCY CORPS NEPAL GLOBAL HEADQUARTERS
P.O. Box 24374 KDRRI II Program UK USA
Sanepa Chowk Far Western Area Office 40 Sciennes 45 SW Ankeny Street
Lalitpur, Nepal Dhangadi – 5, Hasanpur Edinburgh, Scotland Portland, Oregon
Tel : ++ 977 1 555 5532 Kailali, Nepal EH9 1NJ 97204
Fax : ++ 977 1 555 4370 Tel : ++ 977 091 526 923 44.131.662.5160 1.503.796.6800
Email: info@np.mercycorps.org Fax : ++ 977 091 521 415
http://nepal.mercycorps.org www.mercycorps.org Updated August 2009
You must be the change
You wish to see in the world. Be the change
- Gandhi