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Danish Red Cross is proud to announce the launch of our newest project, “Strengthening NCD (NonCommunicable Disease) Care Resilience in Disaster-Prone Municipalities of Western Nepal”. Implemented in partnership with the Nepal Red Cross Society, Canadian Red Cross, and academic partners at the University of Aarhus, the project is set to break new ground by integrating NCD care within the Anticipatory Action framework that emphasizes the urgent need for adaptive and inclusive solutions to the compounding problems that NCDs in disaster-vulnerable areas can bring.
With 41 million lives lost annually to NCDs globally, and 86% of premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries, the financial strain on such nations is predicted to escalate to $21.3 trillion between 2011 and 2030. This is particularly evident in regions susceptible to natural hazards, disasters, and emergencies, such as Nepal, which is among the most vulnerable countries in the world.
To address this challenge, the project will introduce innovative ways of working within anticipatory action, which is increasingly regarded as a best practice model for adoption by the Government of Nepal and other stakeholders involved. The aim is to enhance the resilience and empowerment of communities with People Living With NCDs (PLWNCDs) to access services during disasters, while also bolstering the readiness of the healthcare system to deliver NCD services during crises.
“Nepal is facing a double burden. We are witnessing firsthand the impacts of the climate crisis and a growing frequency and intensity of disasters, but this is now converging with another threat. Non-communicable diseases, which are the primary cause of death in Nepal,” said David Fogden, Country Cluster Manager of Danish Red Cross for Nepal and Bangladesh. “NCDs require ongoing management, but this is often a neglected part of disaster management planning. We recognize the urgent need to consider the unique vulnerabilities of people with NCDs, before, during, and after disasters. As such, we are extremely excited to launch this initiative with Novo Nordisk Foundation and Aarhus University. While the Red Cross has long been pioneer in early warning, early action, and anticipatory action, this will be the first time that NCDs have been integrated into such approaches. It has the potential to be a gamer changer for people with NCDs in Nepal”
Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the project will span 24 months in Bhajani of Kailai district and Laljhandi of Kanchanpur district. The total project funding is 4,584,361 DKK, out of which 140,000 DKK will be spent on health-related research purposes. This project represents a critical step forward in addressing the complex challenges of NCD care in disaster-prone areas and ensuring that the most vulnerable populations receive the care they need.
Danish Red Cross works as part of an integrated member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Crescent Societies (IFRC) Network in Nepal.