1. Becky-Jay Harrington Nepal National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) Ministry of Home Affairs Downtown Kathmandu
2. Background Senior Policy Adviser for Departments of Health & Human Services in Victoria, Australia Bushfire & Pandemic Preparedness Lead review of State Relief & Recovery Plan Information officer in State Emergency Management Centre Project Manager in software development
3. Currently working in NepalNepal’s Hazards Earthquakes Floods Landslides GLOFs Epidemics Lightning Storms Droughts
4. Issues that make Nepal Vulnerable Poverty Population density Physical infrastructure Political instability Geographical isolation
13. Strengthen the communication links with district level EOCs, other response agencies, government agencies and other stakeholders to improve communication and coordination.
14. Enhance the capacity of Ministry of Home Affairs staff through on the job training, workshops and mentoring.My role as the technical adviser..
15. Areas of work in the next 12 months…. DIMS (Disaster Information Management System) Sahana implementation in NEOC Sahana training for NEOC and DEOC NEOC website construction Implement IT infrastructure plan Warning & notification system Implementation of Standard Operating Procedures Facilitating the preparation of DEOC's SOPs Communications Strategy Establish back up communication systems Establish guidelines for interacting with the public and media Incorporate modern technology into communication systems Human Resources Professional skill development Identify surge capacity
Editor's Notes
Earthquakes 11th most at-risk country for earthquakes and the 18 earthquakes this year alone (between 4-5 magnitude)Floods30th most at-risk country for floods (Koshi flood in 2008) Over 300 ppl a year die in water related disasters80% of rainfall occurs in monsoon season between June & September
Povertyone of the lowest countries in the Human Development Index (HDI 2007/08),31% of total population living in povertyApproximately 1/3 population is malnourishedPopulation DensityRapid unsafe urbanization (huge increase in last 10 years due to conflict)Pressure on water and electricity systems especially KTMLack of open spaces is an issue for relief / recovery planningPhysical infrastructure poorly constructed buildings inadequate materialsAirport, bridges, hospitals and schools all need to under go retro-fitting Politically10 years of conflict, held elections and formed a Constitutional Assembly in 2008Current Prime Minister just resigned on Sunday. Constitution is currently 1 year late and will miss the 31 Aug deadline. Geographical IsolationLandlocked country, only 1 airport in KTMthe Logistics Performance Index 2010 placed Nepal much lower than Haiti, as the 147th out of 155 countries, and has similar ranking in terms of logistics quality and competence and timeliness. EnvironmentEnvironment deterioration, eg. De-forestation leading to landslides and depletion of glaciers resulting in pressure on existing glacial lakes or formation of new lakes. Increased level of air and water pollutionKathmanduhigh risk area to earthquakes and is currently the focus of much discussion and planning in preparation of such an event. Scenarios of a earthquake in Kathmandu estimate upwards of 40,000 dead, 90,000 injured and over 900,000 displaced and estimates the communications network would be interrupted for three weeks.
The NEOC building was completed in December 2010 and funded by the Australian Government. The building resides on the Ministry of Home Affairs compound, but is a separate self contained building, built to earthquake standards.
I am the technical adviser working in the NEOC. it is a AusAID funded position.
