The European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) has launched a EUR 3.1 million disaster preparedness project in Nepal to reduce vulnerabilities to disasters. The project will train 3,000 youth volunteers in search and rescue, first aid, emergency response, and disaster preparedness. It aims to establish early warning systems and low-cost mitigation models through local partnerships. ECHO is funding eight projects managed by NGOs in 19 districts to strengthen disaster risk reduction and help over 243,000 people.

1. DIPECHO Action Plan For
South Asia Launched
A Comprehensive Disaster Preparedness Project funded by differential vulnerabilities and will work closely with the
the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department government, donors and other key stakeholders to strengthen
(ECHO) under its fifth DIPECHO Action Plan for South Asia the national disaster risk reduction framework and disaster
was launched amidst a programme in mid August. The NPR management policies.
351.56 million (3.1 million Euro) DIPECHO project in Nepal
aims at bringing down the extent of vulnerabilities among The EC, under the fifth DIPECHO Action Plan, has funded
disaster prone communities. The project aims at mobilising eight projects, managed by ActionAid Nepal, CARE, Danish
and training 3,000 youth volunteers. The volunteers will be Red Cross, Handicap International, Mercy Corps, Mission
trained on search and rescue operations, first aid, emergency East, Oxfam GB and Practical Action.
response and disaster preparedness.
The projects are implemented through local NGOs, covering
The project aims to reduce the impact of disasters on lives, 19 districts and reaching over 243,000 disaster-vulnerable
livelihoods, property and to protect the dignity of people. people.
Task forces will be formed in the project areas for efficient DIPECHO in Nepal is put into operation by nine partners
response to calamities. Sustainable models of efficient early and is essentially about connecting concerned components
warning systems and small scale cost-effective mitigation within the society to enhance partnerships. This partnership
models like bio-embankment, culverts, elevated hand pumps is viewed to contribute to disaster risk reduction by enhancing
and low cost barrier-free emergency shelters will be established community preparedness, institutional responsiveness and
under the project. the legal protection of the affected people through the
elimination of the possible adverse impacts of landslides,
The project emphasises on mainstreaming people with floods, river erosion and earthquake.
Flooding is a major calamity in the Terai districts of Nepal. The ECHO office in Nepal has been contributing funds to minimise the risks from such disasters.
NEWSLETTER OF THE DELEGATION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION TO NEPAL 9

2. Stakeholders help policy makers to
uphold their promises for stronger
disaster risk reduction legislation
Nepal – a global hotspot for disasters- ranks 11th for the risk of disaster risk reduction legislation that is in line with internationally
earthquakes and 30th for water induced disasters among 198 agreed accords, like the Hyogo Framework Action (HFA). The HFA
countries of the world. The increasing frequency and intensity of assists the efforts of nations and communities to become more
disasters have been adversely affecting this Himalayan country. resilient to, and cope better with the hazards that threaten their
There have been massive community level efforts to mitigate the development gains.
risks of disasters and better prepare for them at a village level,
supported by the European Commission’s Humanitarian aid The current legislation in Nepal includes the National Calamity
department (ECHO) through its humanitarian partners. Act of 1982, which was revised in 1992. The Act and its
amendments are more relief oriented - dealing with the aftermath
There is an escalating momentum in Nepal to ensure that the
of a crisis rather than the mitigation of the impact – although there
community led initiatives are embedded in a holistic legislative
were provisions made to have a disaster management bill. In
framework, which would include all aspects of disaster risk reduction.
2009, the Nepal cabinet approved a national strategy to manage
A consortium of non-governmental organisations (NGO’s), United risks – a clear step towards realising the commitments to the HFA
Nations agencies and the Red Cross / Crescent movement, - however strategy is not legally binding.
supported by ECHO have launched a tool kit to increase the
awareness and understanding of the elected policy makers in In a country where climate change is playing havoc with its people
Nepal. The Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) toolkit includes key the adage ‘disasters can affect everyone, and are therefore
information regarding disasters, the context, success stories, everybody’s business’ rings true with greater urgency. Nepal could
legislations, international frameworks, and what needs to be done so easily uphold its leaders’ promises and include risk reduction
in Nepal in this regard. as a primary component of legislation ensuring response, recovery
and risk reduction into the government’s priorities on disaster
Underpinning this are the repeated commitments by some of the management. The DRR Toolkit was launched to be catalyst towards
most senior officials of the Nepal Government to have a strong this step.
Vice Chairperson of the Constituent Assembly Purna Kumari Subedi makes the DRR Toolkit public after it was launched in the capital in February. Dr. Alexander Spachis,
Ambassador, Head of European Union Delegation to Nepal and Robert Piper, the UN resident representative for Nepal, jointly presented the toolkit to Subedi.
N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E D E L E G AT I O N O F T H E E U R O P E A N U N I O N T O N E P A L 3