Launched on: 20 October 2000
Appeal Target CHF 658,180
Beneficiaries: 9,500 beneficiary families
Operational Timeframe: 4 months
Last SITREP issued 22 December 2000
Period covered: 1 December 2000 - 20 February 2001
"At a glance"
Appeal coverage: 98.5%
The Disaster/Situation: In 2000 the monsoon - normally between June
and September - started early (in May) and neither communities nor the
government were prepared. Floods and landslides killed a total of 146 people,
injured 351 and left 11,167 families homeless. Large numbers of livestock
and property were also lost and several sources of drinking water were
contaminated. Such disasters have increased in magnitude over the years
because of the effects of environmental erosion.
The context
Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Floods, landslides, earthquakes, fire and epidemics have killed many people and destroyed livestock and property in recent years. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) has given priority to the disaster management programme. The Society has conducted many operations in coordination with the government, NGOs, sister societies and the Federation. However, an immediate response to assist disaster victims and appropriate planning for response remains a challenge.
The NRCS has a nationwide network and the district committees of the Society played a key role in assessing the disaster. NRCS headquarters responded immediately and sent relief materials from warehouses to district chapters concerned. The NRCS was not able to cope on its own and appealed - through the Federation - for support to flood victims.
Federation Appeal 30/00 for CHF 658,180 was launched on 20 October 2000 to support 9,500 vulnerable families. The deadline for the relief operation was 31 December 2000 but because of delays in gaining access to some districts, the operation was extended to 20 February 2001.
The Operation
The main objectives of the NRCS relief operation were to:
- provide relief assistance to isolated
families affected by the floods and landslides as per the needs assessment
and the survey report prepared by the district chapters concerned.
- provide relief assistance in the form
of temporary shelter, clothing and utensils to the victims of disaster.
- conduct awareness raising sessions on health issues in the areas affected by the disaster.
Each of the 75 district chapters of the NRCS has skilled and trained manpower to respond immediately in disaster situations. NRCS has a central warehouse in Kathmandu, four regional warehouses, four zonal warehouses and 18 depots in different strategic areas. Relief materials are provided to the district chapters from these warehouses.
The NRCS disaster management department mobilised its volunteers and staff to collect accurate information regarding the floods and landslides. On the basis of the survey received from the district chapters, NRCS headquarters mobilised internal resources as well as assistance from the Federation. Through its district chapters, the NRCS distributed 1,900 family packages (WHAT IS IN THESE?) to beneficiaries in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. In all 7,344 family packages were distributed and a total of 7,600 were replenished. Some district chapters resettled flood-affected people temporarily, provided food items - such as puffed rice, potato and sugar - from their own funds.
Achievements and Constraints
Reporting
Detailed reports were not received on time from the district chapters affected by the disaster as a result of disruption of communication and transportation which also resulted in problems in dispatching relief materials to disaster victims in remote areas.
Monitoring
The NRCS was not initially able to fulfil the immediate needs of the flood victims given its depleted stock of relief materials. The NRCS therefore issued an emergency appeal through the Federation and in this context, the Federation sent an assessment team to evaluate the situation in Nepal. The team visited several districts including areas affected by the disaster. The relief coordinator responsible for the Orissa cyclone operation also visited various districts and reviewed the progress of the relief operation.
Participation of NRCS
A central disaster management committee was formed under the chairmanship of the Home Minister. Likewise, a disaster management sub committee was formed in each district under the chairmanship of the chief district officer. The NRCS is a member of these committees both at central and district levels. There are sufficient members, skilled personnel and volunteers for disaster response at each level. During the disaster period, district chapters and headquarters mobilized volunteers and staff to:
assess the disaster, conduct rescue work, prepare a survey report, distribute relief materials and create awareness in the community regarding disaster and health.
The NRCS also has a disaster management committee at central level and similar committees are formed within the districts. At district level, NRCS committees include representatives of the district development committee and district administration office. The chairman, secretary general and the chairman of the central disaster management committee, together with staff from NRCS headquarters, visited some of the flood-affected areas, observed the effect of the disaster and provided necessary instructions to the relief operation teams.
Means to evaluate changing needs
According to reports received from district committees, the immediate needs of the victims were met. However, there may be further needs in future, and people may need a different type of support such as safe drinking water and sanitation facilities. Field surveys and close supervision are effective means of evaluating potential further needs.
Measures taken to ensure that the beneficiaries were reached
The district chapters conducted needs assessment work and a local Red Cross volunteer prepared the disaster survey report. All relief materials were distributed to the disaster victims, as proposed in the survey report. Some NRCS staff also met with disaster victims and held interviews to confirm the benefit of the relief operation.
Results against initial objectives
The operation was satisfactorily completed by the NRCS through mobilisation of its volunteers as well as staff members. District chapters identified the beneficiaries through the initial survey and assisted actively in providing relief services to the disaster victims. Likewise, the NRCS replenished 2,517 family packages of relief materials.
Cooperation with authorities and other agencies
The NRCS has a good relationship with government authorities and agencies involved. It worked in cooperation and coordination with the Ministries of the Interior and Health and Water Resources. Local NGOs and INGOs also extended their cooperation to support the relief operation. The Thai Embassy and the Chinese Embassy in Nepal also provided financial assistance to flood victims.
The NRCS central executive committee, the central disaster management committee as well as staff from headquarters and the community also participated in relief operations. District chapters were involved in preparing survey and progress reports. District level junior/youth circles were also actively involved in the relief operation activities.
Conclusion
The relief operation was effective and assistance was delivered to victims of floods and landslides. The immediate NRCS emergency response enabled the majority of affected persons to revert to their normal life after the disaster. The floods and landslides reinforced the conviction that the NRCS should work towards improving preparedness measures.
A small balance of CHF 12,093 remains on this project and these funds will be reallocated to ongoing projects being run by the NRCS.
John Horekens
Head
Relationship Management Department
Simon Missiri
Head ai
Asia & Pacific Department
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