- Saturday, 17 October 2026
Kathmandu, Oct 17: To begin with, three news stories: a) President Ramchandra Paudel issued an ordinance relating to disaster management; b) the disaster management authority sought proposals from the organizations in a bid to set up temporary housing to the Bhotekoshi flood-hit people; and c) the World Bank made public a fresh Nepal development update, giving a headline ‘build back differently for future’.
These three stories finely reflect the responses as part of the disaster governance, a broad regime dealing with issues of various sorts of disasters.
The legal reform forwarded with relief and reconstruction drives at home to the suggestions by a prominent international development partner are some basics, which help forward other activities, thereby paying heed to problems of the survivors of recent Bhotekoshi flood disaster to restoration of other sectors and future planning in place.
Build back differently In the fresh development update, the World Bank has articulated seven principles in regards to recovery from disaster and building a resilient future.
One of the substantial principles it has forwarded is ‘building differently’. In the principle no 7, the document stated, from “Build Back Better” to “Build Differently”.
It further explained, “Nepal may need to build differently — based on a better understanding of risk, more careful decisions about location and design, greater redundancy in critical networks, stronger monitoring and early warning, and a more integrated approach to infrastructure development in the Himalayas.”
The document reminds the relevance of the principle of ‘Build Back Better’, while giving special focus on building differently in view of broader challenges posed by the glacial disaster that struck Nepal on August 26.
The phrase ‘building differently’ bears special significance because Nepal is facing one disaster after another, exposing multifarious issues of severe concern simultaneously.
The suggestion of a departure in reconstruction works is found here. The recent disasters in Nepal have evidently drawn keen interest from wide range of experts and researchers from the country and abroad, while the policy makers and governments at home making untiring efforts to advance recovery works.
The country, which is suffering worst owing to the climate change, is now in an urgent state to be clear how it perceives and takes ahead disaster governance.
In this connection, a researcher Dr Ganesh Dhungana, observes, “A natural hazard alone should not have resulted in this level of human casualties and economic loss. A river has its own right of way. It needs space to flow, expand and, during extreme events, sometimes change its course.
But have our planners and decision-makers really respected that?” At a time when Nepal has been gradually paving way for progress with the expansion of physical infrastructures and hydropower projects, whether we paid heed to the sustainability of development works is another issue exposed by the recent disasters.
To this, Dr Dhungana said, “We continue to develop cities, roads, settlements and infrastructure in flood-prone and risk-sensitive areas.
We know the risks, yet we often choose what is easier, cheaper and economically attractive today without seriously considering what may happen 20, 50 or 100 years from now.”
The series of disaster Nepal has been suffering in a decade exposes several issues of concern at once on the one hand, while the observations and opinions pouring in response to the catastrophes deserve equal attention.
These make us ponder whether we fared effectively on disaster governance. Wider approach Disaster governance has several issues to pay heed.
Irrespective of the untiring role played by the government institutions and security agencies immediately after the August 26 Bhotekoshi flood, the need of enhancement of their roles has been increased further.
The enormity of loss caused by the disaster evidently laid bare our limits in physical, economic, technological and policy/legal fronts. What next- from preparedness to recovery- if such mega disaster befalls us? It is worth mulling. In addition to the rehabilitation of those displaced by the recent disaster, additional identification of risk-prone zones across the country and relocation drive is another vital part for future security.
Social integration and psychological wellbeing of the survivors are other unforgettable parts. Importantly, the assessment of the present role and relevance of laws and policies, institutions, public understanding/knowledge, academia and research, and security agencies helps identify the gaps, make corrections and launch the activities in a way to make disaster governance impactful.
Collaboration, knowledge sharing We’re the federal country, having three-tiers of governments in place. The knowledge building and sharing among the three governments can be instrumental to deal with the future adversity, ensuring lesser damages.
The constitutional provision of collaboration and coordination and powers of the three layers of governments are increasingly relevant at such situation.
From policy and law making to implementation, constant exchange of ideas and objective reality are further beneficial. Recent decision of government to amend law on disaster and response deserves accolade, for it eases government to promptly heed the need of financial relief to the families of those disappeared in the glacial disaster.
In addition to a brief change in disaster related law, several other laws, regulation and directive can be studied and changed to suit the recurring disasters and urgency of responses in Nepal.
The change in law and policy can be ensured as an informed action, to which research conducted by academia can contribute tremendously.
The Budhigandaki flash flood occurred on October 11 has further reinforced the deep study of Nepal’s Himalayas. For this, academia, glaciologists, geologists, environmental experts and rights advocates can give a pace to thorough discussions and debates to equip the government works surrounding disaster governance.
Trilateral cooperation When it comes to the impacts of disasters that crosses the border, the bilateral and trilateral cooperation are essential to identify and mitigate the challenges. The shared responsibility and actions are vital to guarantee the safety of cross-border people and prevent loss and damages.
In this connection, Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s views in his address in the recent UN General Assembly are laudable. The PM spoke on advancing trilateral cooperation on disaster management.
“As an urgent first step, we propose that we establish a ‘Himalayan Climate Resilience Mechanism’, led by Nepal, India and China,” PM Shah stated. Even the proposal of making the Himalayas a laboratory of international cooperation was floated by the Prime Minister.
Once Nepal is able to advance and realize the concept of trilateral cooperation on disaster management, it not only carries tremendous significance but also creates atmosphere to lessen the burden collectively.
Preparedness integral Whether caused by earthquakes or climate change, in the Himalayas or in southern plains, natural ones or exacerbated by human activities, the disasters occurring with increasing frequency and intensity have pronounced the urgency of making preparedness an integral part of our life.
So, await not the monsoon floods and landslides but equip now for tomorrow. ‘Resilience starts at home’ was the apt slogan that marked the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) some days back.
The theme prepared for the world sounds more meaningful to Nepal. It is time to inculcate right knowledge and skills, and foster practices especially among the children and youths that boost preparedness for future disasters.
When the human knowledge is augmented and practices amended on time, it creates a solid foundation for meaningful disaster governance.
Narayan Ghimire / rss
