Attachments
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
I. Nepal’s budget 2080/081 prioritizes environmental preservation and climate adaptation at every stage of project implementation
II. Government decides support to build temporary shelter for earthquake affected people
III. Government decision on completing halted private housing reconstruction
IV. Civil society consultation on the draft DRRM-GEDSI Strategic Action Plan
V. Second National Dialogue on Anticipatory Action held in Kathmandu
NATIONAL UPDATES
Nepal’s budget 2080/081 prioritizes environmental preservation and climate adaptation at every stage of project implementation
In a parliamentary session on 29 May 2023 Monday, Hon. Finance Minister Dr. Prakash Sharan Mahat unveiled the budget for the forthcoming fiscal year 2080/81 (2023/024). The announcement took place during a joint session of the National Assembly and House of Representatives in the federal parliament. The budget speech by the Finance Minister has prioritized mainstreaming of the environmental preservation and climate adaptation and mitigation activities at every stage of project implementation. Integration of disaster management programs is highlighted and adoption of prevention methods.
The budget unveils that Nepal Model Climate Program will be conducted at different 43 local levels through coordination and cooperation between federal and local governments. Finance Minister Mahat also said that the weather forecasting and early warning system will be made more reliable for which the weather radar centers in Surkhet, Palpa and Udaypur will be made fully operational.
The budget statement also mentioned enhancing the capacities of three tiers of security units in aspects of immediate search and rescue during disasters. Similarly, volunteer bureaus will be formed and massively mobilized at the local levels thereby increasing the participation of local communities in disaster preparedness search, rescue, relief and in rehabilitation works.
The budget also informed about the establishment of a multi-hazard early warning system and multi-hazard risk assessment system to reduce disaster risk. Finance Minister Mahat also mentioned the effective information messaging flow systems as the early warning system to reduce disaster risk. The budget statement mentioned the disaster risk and vulnerable areas from flood and landslides and the relocation of displaced families to safer locations. Nepal Government Budget Speech_DRRM and Climate change focused parts
Government decides support to build temporary shelter for earthquake affected people
The 17th Executive Committee Meeting of NDRRMA concluded on 12 May 2023 (29 Baishak 2080) in presence of Hon. Deputy PM/Home Minister Mr. Narayan Kaji Shrestha. The EC Meeting decided mainly -
i) To formulate Monsoon Preparedness and Response Plan in order to mitigate the risk of monsoon induced disasters (NDRRMA to take lead).
ii) To provide Rs 50,000.00 for building temporary shelter to the people whose houses were damaged and affected by Doti, Lamjung, Khotang & Bajura earthquake (in two installments by forming necessary procedures).
Stating that there were complaints about lack of preparedness for disaster risk reduction (DRR), the Home Affairs Minister drew the attention of the stakeholders and concerned agencies to make it effective. Further, Minister Shrestha reiterated that disasters cannot be reduced to zero, but its impacts can be reduced for which right management is required from everyone concerned. Similarly, speaking at the meeting, Minister for Health and Population, Mr. Mohan Bahadur Basnet pledged to leave no stone unturned for implementing early preparedness for the DRR.
Likewise, Minister for Federal Affairs and General Administration, Mr. Amanlal Modi viewed that the early warning system and weather forecasting should be further advanced and modernized. Arguing that the early preparedness was important for DRR, he urged the concerned ones to make the preparedness more efficient and transparent. Also speaking in the meeting, Chief Secretary Mr. Shanker Das Bairagi underscored a detailed action-plan for disaster management. 17th Executive Committee Meeting of NDRRMA
Government decision on completing halted private housing reconstruction
Government of Nepal/Council of Ministers dated 2 May 2023 (19 Baishak 2080) have decided to complete remaining private housing reconstruction and retrofitting works affected by Gorkha earthquake 2015. The decision is as per below
i. Complete the construction of housing for the landless and earthquake affected and displaced beneficiaries (for whom suitable land management is already done) by 15 July 2023 (end of Ashad 2080).
ii. Complete the reconstruction works of private housing by 15 July 2023 (end of Ashad 2080) for those beneficiaries that are listed by date of 24 December 2022 (9 Poush 2079) through the appeal committee decisions.
iii. Pay the remaining beneficiaries whose files are verified in FY 2078/079, Complete the reconstruction of private houses by July 15, 2023, and pay the appellate beneficiaries and landless/displaced beneficiaries within the budget capacity.
For more information, contact Department of Urban Development and Building Construction/CLPIU- Building and Housing at Babarmahal, Kathmandu
Civil society consultation on the draft DRRM-GEDSI Strategic Action Plan
An interactive consultation meeting on ‘Draft DRRM-GEDSI Strategic Action Plan’ involving mainly the civil society organizations (CSOs) held on 14 May 2023 at NDRRMA. The objective of the program was to share the progress update on the draft of DRRM-GEDSI Strategic Action Plan's current update and discuss it to gather feedback and inputs from the development personnel broadly so that the Strategic Action Plan can be finalized.
The meeting was chaired by the Chief Executive of NDRRMA, Mr. Anil Pokharel and attended by the members of GEDSI task force, representatives from concerned stakeholders including government line ministries, donor agencies and the CSOs engaged in DRRM at federal level. The introductory briefing on the status update on DRRM-GEDSI strategic Action Plan was presented by Under Secretary NDRRMA, Ms. Hira Devi Poudel. The participants present in the meeting provided constructive feedback and technical inputs for necessary updates to be incorporated into the GEDSI Strategic action plan.
The participants reiterated that the ‘Action Plan’ document should have a clear format that enables the application of intersectionality and majorly the principles of the Sendai Framework, and its four pillars namely: understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response. The participants affirmed that by adhering to these principles and guidelines, the ‘DRRM-GEDSI Strategic Action Plan’ can effectively promote the integration of gender and social inclusion considerations within disaster risk reduction efforts, while also aligning with sectoral ministries, local governments, and international frameworks such as the Sendai Framework.
The meeting concluded with a common consensus of sending written inputs/ suggestions by the stakeholders, for which NDRRMA and the GEDSI task force will work out on the inputs. NDRRMA organized similar consultations in Sudurpaschim and Koshi provinces for integration of appropriate inputs from various regions in the document. The program was technically supported by NHSRP and CRS Empower Asia Project. Event report on civil society consultation
Second National Dialogue on Anticipatory Action held in Kathmandu
The 2nd National Dialogue Platform on Anticipatory Humanitarian Action (#NDAA2023) completed in Kathmandu from 11-12 May 2023. The theme for this year was focused on 'Connecting Science and Policy with Action for the Community.'
This event brought together governments including provincial and local government line agencies, local governments, donor agencies, UN agencies, Red Cross Movement, local governments, academia, media, private sectors, researchers and I/NGOs to discuss the important topic of anticipatory action. Some of the technical and parallel sessions carry thematic areas of health risk, shock-responsive social protection, and disaster risk finance and risk transfer and to name a few.
Participants actively shared experiences, learnings, and insights on community-led anticipatory humanitarian action. Noted experts and specialists shed light on the importance of anticipatory action in emergency situations & emphasized that an anticipatory action plan could play a significant role in minimizing the impact of losses from disasters. Field level experiences and best practices sharing contributed to paving a roadmap in anticipatory actions. The panel sessions focused on sharing existing issues on particular thematic areas. 2nd National Dialogue on Anticipatory Action