Earthquake awareness and effective planning through participatory risk assessment: an experience from Nepal.

Earthquake risk evaluation is the first step for realistic and effective planning and implementation of earthquake risk reduction as well as preparedness initiatives as it helps understanding the underlying problems and its magnitude. Either simple earthquake loss estimation based on secondary information on seismic hazards and vulnerabilities or detail quantitative analysis of individual buildings and infrastructures, the risk assessment has been a very strong awareness raising and planning tool for implementing earthquake risk management activities in Nepal. Earthquake risk assessment is done in small communities with population of a couple of thousands to mega cities with millions. The methodologies and tools are customized to represent local situations and are used based on objectives of the assessment and the resources available. Active participation of all concerned stakeholders including communities, city officials and lifelines in the process of assessment itself, is most for proper utilization of its outcomes.