Nepal - Technical Advisory Mission

Policy

• Integrate space based and geospatial information while the following policy documents are revised: DM Act, National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management (NSDRM), 2009 and National Disaster Response Framework (NDRF), 2013
• Create a national data policy that includes data standards (including geospatial data), which points to a clear need for National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI);
• Develop guidelines for a disaster inventory database and clearly spell out, who will provide services, who will use them, and for what purpose.
• To ensure the efficient use of resources in support of DRR, there should be a department or entity that is entirely dedicated to coordination. ;
• In the meantime, there can still be coordination between agencies producing and using data for disaster management and emergency response. MoHA can convene an information management or GIS working group. This group will coordinate data management activities, share data, develop standards, and work toward there being no duplication of efforts.
• Army, APF, NGOs (KLL, Nepal GIS Society), Survey Department and ICIMOD are important players.

Data availability and sharing

• “One Nation-One Map” policy to promote the preparation of base line thematic layers including hazard and risk maps at highest possible resolution and scale by respective agencies in a time bound manner.
• Policy document and related actions to convince key ministries to invest in earth observation and geospatial information, which leads to faster economic growth.
• Data access should be explicitly addressed in high level policy or strategy. Then technology can easily be put in place to facilitate data access.
• Organisations like DWIDM, DHM, DMG needs clear mandate and strategic guidance from MoHA to undertake hazard/risk mapping.
• A portal for discovering national data assets is needed, regardless of whether or not data may be shared freely, for cost, or not at all. This will reduce duplication of effort.
• Overarching plan to generate spatial data is needed (land use, soil, hydro-geomorphology, water resources, socio-economic etc.)

Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

• Capacity building should be guided by a strategy that addresses long-term capacity building needs;
• Use of in-house institutions to offer regular capacity building programmes focused on space technology applications in specific themes and upcoming innovations;
• Develop technological capacity or set up a dedicated centre that would provide technical support to NEOC; and
• Ensure trained staffs remain in their positions within the government department allowing them to focus on specific technical skills to leverage remote sensing and GIS in support of DRR and DM.
• Capacity existing in other institutions such as ICIMOD can be used as a valuable resource to maintain capacity within the government.
• Explore opportunities for Public-Private Partnership

Strengthening Disaster Risk Reduction

• Critical role by NEOC in facilitating hazard, vulnerability and risk maps using Earth observation;
• National mission guiding the use of geospatial technology in disaster management include inventory, monitoring, spatial analysis and modeling and developing GIS-based tools for hazard, vulnerability and risk analysis.
• Establishment of a technical centre within NEOC which can be partly manned by staff from stakeholder ministries. This centre should be able to coordinate and use information generated by all stakeholder agencies during all stages of disaster management; and
• For disaster risk reduction, preparation of hazard zonation maps, early warning and mainstreaming guide lines are considered as key areas to focus.
• DRR should be a key component of sustainable development (SDG) and integrate climate change adaptation.

Strengthening early warning and preparedness

• The existing early warning system (EWS) should be strengthened by building expertise on advanced applications of Earth observation (reference ICIMOD efforts);
• There is an urgent need to build capacities for multi-hazard use of EWS, where information (thematic maps, risk maps etc.) generated from satellite images can be integrated with early warning information; and
• Strengthen capacities in providing more accurate and localized early warning information that can be used for local disaster preparedness and response at the community level.

Strengthening emergency response

• Develop routine mechanism to use Earth observation to provide situational awareness to support NEOC and ensure coordinated and effective response during emergencies;
• NEOC should become an Authorised User of the International Charter for Space and utilized Sentinel Asia facility at ICIMOD;
• Prepare SOPs for acquisition and utilisation of space based information during emergency response (Reference: WG in UN-SPIDER Conference 2015)
• The training and mock drills on routine basis to enable stakeholders to make good use of international support
• Information sharing channels during emergencies should be clarified in the legal and strategic documents developed by MoHA
• Cross train geospatial professionals with DM –the two are largely treated as independent functions.
• Basic map reading and land navigation skills must be taught across all entities involved with DM, particular within the response community
• Prepare and implement a geospatial strategy and NSDI under leadership of MoHA, in close collaboration with main players;
• Develop an institutional capacity development strategy;
• Prepare and implement a plan to address Priority 1 of Sendai framework by developing methods identify risks, hazards and vulnerabilities using geoinformation; and
• Prepare and implement a plan to address Priority 4 of Sendai framework for Disaster Reduction: 2015-2030 by developing SOP to use earth observation for enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response.

Actions identified during debriefing at Ministry of Home Affairs on the 5th day of the TAM

1. Re-start planning to develop an NSDI. Under the leadership of the Survey Dept, but with the active participation of all concerned agencies and partners. (governmental and Non-governmental agencies)
   1. Strengthen DRR portal to host relevant data related to DRR
2. TAM to suggest innovative approaches in capacity building for mainstreaming Space tech in DRR and DR
3. Enhance existing partnerships to maximize the use of space tech at EOC.
4. Suggest mechanisms for using space technology to identify and address vulnerability. (focus on more accessible technology –not high-tech)
5. TAM to recommend ways to strengthen DRR, perhaps through strengthened partnership with academic partnerships.
6. TAM to share our observations on capacity of the different agencies of the GoN.
7. UN to explore ways to support the GoNin efforts to improve the use of space technology for DRR.
8. Support awareness raising activities at the very senior government level on the benefits of GIS and remote sensing in DRR (and beyond). TAM can share lessons learned
9. TAM to suggest ways to better manage and use information in support of emergency response operations. (i.e review DRR Portal)
10. Establish an executive and technical committee under the leadership of NEOC. (or the to-be-established NDMC)
    1. Executive committee to look at policy and mandate issues
    2. Technical committee to coordinate data collection activities, identify data sources, and establish data standards and guidance.