National Disaster Risk Reduction Centre Nepal (NDRC Nepal) was established in 2003 and registered in 2007 by a group people who recognised that there was a need for contributing disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation (CCA) by knowledge management.

1. …towards disaster risk-resilient society
DAO: 992/063/12/21 • SWC: 30255

2. Introduction
Disaster is not a new phenomenon but it is
one that increasing in intensity and frequency.
Every year, more than 200 million people in the
world are affected by different natural hazards
viz. including droughts, floods, cyclones,
earthquakes, wildfires, epidemics, avalanches,
rock fall, landslides, mud and debris flows, and
glacier lake outburst floods (World Disaster
Report, 2009). A flash appeal launched by the
UN in 2007 revealed that since the 1970s the
annual number of natural disasters attributable
to both climatic and non-climatic hazards has
quadrupled and that the average number of
people affected each year had increased from
an average of 100 million to an average of more
than 250 million.
Nepal is situated in the world’s hazard belt and
is subject to multiple hazards. It is periodically
struck by major natural disasters due to climatic
and seismic factors. Though the International
Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, which
began in 1990, raised awareness in Nepal, the
number of deaths and the extent of property
loss have increased drastically since then. While
the reasons for the increase in disaster risks are
many, the primary one is the increasing exposure
and vulnerability to weather and climate hazards
and to environmental degradation. The
rise in population density, global
warming, and poverty all
exacerbate the impacts of
natural hazards.
Climate change has
impacted lives and
livelihoods and has
prevented millions of
people from exercising
their fundamental
rights. Disaster affects
the entire globe without
discrimination. While
natural hazards can affect
anyone anywhere at any
time, it is the poor; women,
particularly those who are lactating
or pregnant; children; the elderly; and
persons with disabilities who suffer most from
disaster as they lack the information, resources,
capacities and social safety nets that could protect
them. While many are well aware of
the human misery and crippling
economic losses resulting from
disasters, few realise that
the extent of devastation
can be prevented or at
least mitigated through
people-led disaster risk
reduction initiatives.
Background
Realizing above overall
context, National Disaster
Risk Reduction Centre Nepal
(NDRC Nepal) was established
in 2003 and registered in 2007
by a group people who recognised
that there was a need for contributing disaster
risk reduction (DRR) and climate change
adaptation (CCA) by knowledge management.
Disaster in Nepal: At a glance
1000 death due to disasters every year
1,20,80,00,000 NPR, economic loss per year
From 1971 to 2007, over 1,33,000 people were
affected every year by disasters... over 9,350
houses were destroyed every year (MoHA)
Nepal’s average temperature is increasing
rapidly compared to global average in global
warming. If the current trend of rising
temperature continues, three-fourth of
Nepal’s 3,000+ glacial lakes will dwindle by
2030 due to premature meltdown
ICIMOD assessment illustrates that of the
2323 glacial lakes of Nepal, 20 are potentially
dangerous and can result in Glacier Lake
Outburst Floods
According to various studies, among the
major 200 cities of the world, Kathmandu
valley is extremely vulnerable to earthquake
and can result in mass scale destruction of
lives and property.
The joint study report of MoHA and JICA,
2002 estimates that if an earthquake of
intensity equivalent to 8.4 Richter scale
strikes Kathmandu valley (compared to 1934
earthquake), 40,000 people may lose life;
95,000 people are likely to be injured and over
60 percent of the buildings will collapse.
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3. Strategies
Strengthen local alliance through linkage,
coordination and networking
Organise people and evidence-based
advocacy and campaigning
Develop local volunteers, human resources
and institutions for synergy in DRR
Work with the media to aware, advocate and
disseminate DRR information
Maintain political neutrality and practice the
do-no-harm principle
Promote equal and inclusive practices in DRR
Enlarge national and international
collaboration for effective DRR initiatives
Advance knowledge management practices
Key Involvement
NDRC Nepal has been
involved in following
key actions and
interventions with
different national
and international
actors
(Government
of Nepal,
NGO/INGO,
UN and Bilateral
Agencies in Nepal,
and Academic
Institution like Institute
of Development Studies (IDS), and various
institutions in South Asian Countries).
Technical Feasibility, Need Assessment for
DRR and Humanitarian Response
DRR Capacity Building Training
Specialized Study and Trainings on
WASH, HIV and AIDS, Sphere, Inclusive
Development
Baseline; Knowledge, Attitude and
Practice; Gap and Phasing Out Study and
Documentation
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It is registered
with Kathmandu
District
Administration
Office and
affiliated with
Social Welfare
Council Nepal.
NDRC Nepal
has a pool of
experienced
human resources
with expertise in the
fields of good governance,
DRR, CCA, the right-based approach, advocacy
and campaigning, gender, and equity. It has
reached DRR initiatives in 68 districts of Nepal.
Objectives
Build awareness and sensitize people at risks
to prepare and cope with impending disaster
Reduce the vulnerability caused by different
hazards and promote sustainable mitigation
measures
Advocate for favourable and supportive
policy environment for effective
implementation of DRR initiatives
Increase the effectiveness of civil society and
promote the role of civilians to contribute
towards building resilient communities
Conduct research, case studies, lessons
learned and good practices for wider
dissemination
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Vision
A disaster risk resilient society
Mission
Mainstreaming DRR into development programs
and policies and actions
Goal
Enhance the capacity of people and institutions
towards disaster resilience lives and livelihoods

4. Manual for DRR, Participatory Vulnerability
Analysis, CCA, Protection, Project Planning,
Design and Evaluations
DRR Monitoring and Evaluation, Good
Practices and Lesson Learn Studies
Socio-Anthropological Studies and Action
Research on Climate Change and DRR
Collaborative Partners and
Stakeholders
Action Aid Nepal Kathmandu and IDS at
Sussex, UK
DP Net Nepal Kathmandu
Association of INGOs in Nepal Kathmandu
Canadian Cooperation Office Nepal
Kathmandu
Handicap International Nepal Kathmandu
Mission East Nepal Kathmandu
Plan International Nepal Kathmandu
Ministry of Youth and Sports
Ministry of Local Development
UNDP
National Society for
Earthquake Technologies
(NSET)
Ministry of Home Affairs
SAGUN
ECO-Nepal
Federation of Nepal Good
Governance Clubs
DIPECHO Project Partners Nepal
Values and Guiding Principle
Maintain and adhere the humanitarian
principle and respect human rights based
approach
Honour local beliefs, cultures, sentiments,
experience, and knowledge
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design&printproduction:WPS,5550289,printnepal@gmail.com
Maintain standards and accountability;
transparency and responsiveness in all
activities
Organisational Governance
As a registered legitimate entity, NDRC Nepal
is governed by a constitution that calls for an
executive committee to serve as its apex decision-
making body. NDRC Nepal has 7-member
executive committee that is selected by the
general assembly held in August, 2010. This
committee is solely responsible for apprising,
designing, planning, budgeting, implementing
and monitoring programme activities. It also runs
capacity-building programmes in the coordination
with civil society organisations and government
agencies. It has adopted administrative, financial
and personnel policies to govern
its operation. Community
aspirations are collected
and discussed in
executive committee
meetings and
development projects
are implemented
once the committee
provisionally endorses
them, makes amendments
to them, and re-endorses
them. There are 42 members
in NDRC Nepal’s general assembly. It has a
seven-member advisory committee that provides
strategic direction, clear vision and facilitates the
organisation in achieving its ultimate mission.
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National Disaster
Risk Reduction
Center Nepal
Dhruba Gautam, Ph.D.
Chairperson/Executive Director
New Baneshwor-34, Kathmandu
GPO Box 19532, Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel/Fax: +977-01-4115619, 98510-95808
Email: mail@ndrc.org.np, drrgautam@gmail.com
URL: www.ndrc.org.np
For further information