Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme (CDRMP)

Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. The steep and flood-prone terrain, low levels of awareness, high illiteracy, poverty, rapid urbanisation, the adverse effects of climate change and the lack of institutional and legal frameworks for disaster risk management all render Nepal's population, their property and the country's infrastructure vulnerable to natural hazards.

Floods and landslides are the natural disasters that occur most often and cause the most damage. During the monsoon season flood disrupts the lives of tens of thousands of people and ruining large tracts of agricultural land. Landslides are a recurrent threat to hill communities. Climate change is exacerbating these threats leading to more floods and increasing the probability of catastrophic glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). Earthquakes are the largest threat as most of Nepal lies in a high seismic risk zone. It is estimated that a strong earthquake in the Kathmandu Valley would cause at least 40,000 deaths.

The Comprehensive Disaster Risk Management Programme began in 2011 to build on the achievements of previous UNDP support. This programme is strengthening the capacity for disaster risk management in line with the recommendations of the national strategy. It is building the capacity of government ministries and local bodies for disaster risk management. Gender, social inclusion and knowledge managment are addressed across all project activities.

The objectives of the project are:

• To strengthen the institutional and legislative system for disaster risk reduction
• Build strategic linkages with other sectors to mainstream disaster risk reduction
• Promote climate change related risk management
• Reduce communities' vulnerability to natural disasters
• Improve emergency preparedness and response capacities
• Build UNDP Nepal's capacity for providing early recovery support