Nepal
2023-12 Factsheet - Nepal
Highlights
In 2023, the Shelter Cluster Nepal carried out a range of activities during preparedness and response. Main highlights include:
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Revision of the Shelter Cluster multi-hazard national contingency plan
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Finalisation of Provincial-level multi-hazard contingency plans in Bagmati, Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Lumbini Provinces.
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Input into the annual revision of inter-cluster Monsoon Preparedness and Response Plan (MPRP).
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Development of an Environmental Country Profile, and Shelter Response Profile.
- Coordination of the response to two earthquakes in Bajhang and Karnali Provinces.
For any additional information or to contribute to the content of this factsheet, please contact Manish Raj Timsina at coord1.nepal@sheltercluster.org
Need analysis
Nepal is located in the Himalayan Mountain range and is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world due to its topography and climate, with more than 80 percent of the total population of Nepal exposed to a variety of natural and human induced hazards such as floods, landslides, windstorms, hailstorms, fires, earthquakes, landslides, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
There are a vast array of needs in Nepal, when considering hard-to-reach areas, rural and urban contexts, harsh winters, and the differing needs of women, men, girls and boys of different ages and backgrounds. Typical needs include emergency shelter and essential household item assistance, transitional shelter support, technical support, allocation of safe sites for camps, and access to safe collective centers among other needs.
Response
Preparedness and Capacity Building:
The main preparedness and capacity building activities carried out in 2023 include:
- The Shelter Cluster multi-hazard national contingency plan is currently being revised.
- Bagmati Province government has prepared a provincial multi hazard contingency plan. Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Lumbini province has finalized the Multi Hazard contingency plan supported by UNDP in 2023.
- Shelter Cluster contributed to the annual revision of the inter-cluster Monsoon Preparedness and Response Plan (MPRP).
- An Environmental Country Profile, and Shelter Response Profile have been prepared.
- The Shelter Cluster regularly participates in HCT meetings led by the UNRCO, and others led by NDRRMA/MOHA.
Cluster management arrangements:
Lead and Co-leads are in place, a National Shelter Cluster coordinator is in place during preparedness and response and represents the Shelter Cluster in the Humanitarian Country Team.
The National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF) outlines the structure of the cluster coordination mechanism including Government Lead and Humanitarian Co-Lead arrangements. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) leads emergency response and NDRRMA leads on disaster risk management and reduction.
Frequency of cluster meetings: One every two months during preparedness, and on needs basis for response and for Technical Working Groups.
Response:
The Latest Crises: There were two earthquakes in October 2023 Bajhang (two districts) and November 2023 Karnali (three districts).The Shelter Cluster is currently assisting the government with the Coordination of these responses, including inputting into the inter-cluster Joint Recovery Action Plan.
Gaps / challenges
Disaster management in Nepal is led by the Federal Government and decentralised to the Provincial Government and then down to local level. The Shelter Cluster engagement in the process, from contingency planning to disaster response, follows a complex chain of decision making and competing priorities.
As the Shelter Cluster in its current structure engages, primarily, through the Federal level, there is a practical challenge to understand and engage with Provincial Governments DM structure and priorities, as sometimes there is no compatibility between different government levels.
Shelter cluster coordination is strong at the national level but requires further strengthening at the provincial and local levels where there are fewer resources available. Further investment in human resources and coordination/technical support is required to extend coordination services to the sub-national level.
