Report on Rapid Assessment of Emergency Preparedness Response in Nepal

The Government of Nepal has classified Nepal as one of the hotspots of multi hazards. The country faces high frequency and intensity of a multiple hazards including floods, landslides, forest fire, drought, hailstorms, avalanche, conflict, earthquake etc. Among 200 countries, Nepal ranks 11th and 30th, respectively, with regard to relative vulnerability to earthquake and flood (UNDP/BCPR, 2004). An inventory of past disastrous events during 1971-2006 reveals that epidemics takes the largest toll of life every year, and that landslide, flood (including the flash floods) and urban or rural fire are the principle hazards in terms of their extent and frequency of occurrence as well as the spread and intensity of physical and socio-economic impacts(NSDRM 2008). According to the Global Earthquake Safety Initiative, Kathmandu is exposed to the greatest earthquake risk per capita among 21 megacities around the world, largely due to building collapse and insufficient preparedness and medical care (GHI/UNCRD, 2001). If an earthquake of the 1934 magnitude is repeated at this point of time, an estimated 40 000 deaths, 90,000 injured and 600 000–900 000 homeless can be expected (GHI/NSET, 1999). Such numbers pose a tremendous challenge to the health system of the country, which is highly vulnerable to any seismic event. Nepal’s health system is highly vulnerable to natural and man-made disasters. As such, it is imperative that the health sector focus its work on improving and strengthening the health system of Nepal against possible disasters that may occur.