VDC endorses Disaster Risk Management Plan developed by Oxfam

Devi Raman Acharya, Dhading

Satyadevi VDC in Dhading was affected by the 2015 earthquake where 46 people died and several others were injured.

In order to better prepare local bodies for future disasters, Oxfam approached local administration in Satyadevi VDC and supported in DRR planning and preparations and provided NPR 50,000 as seed money to establish emergency fund. The VDC council decided to add equal money to the fund, also informing that it will add money to the fund every year so that the fund can be mobilized as per emergency fund mobilization guidelines.

 Oxfam Then formed Local Disaster Risk Management Committee (LDRMC), developed Disaster Risk Management Plan, formed two taskforces and conducted demonstration sessions on build back better in different places. Likewise, possible risks of VDC in regard to disaster and the safe places in case of emergencies were identified, also stockpiling search and rescue items. Additionally, the community people have been made aware about the local risks and the ways to cope with them as per the local capacity.

"Disasters like landslides, lightning, and forest fires occur in the VDC every year and many people die and there is damage to properties.  If we can make plan in advance, it saves many lives," says Buddha Ram Tamang, Vice Chairperson of LDRMC Satyadevi VDC.

The members of the Local Disaster Risk Management Committee have been involved in Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment, first aid training, Local Disaster Risk Management Planning and Community Based Disaster Risk Management. A separate training was also provided to the Community Search and Rescue and First Aid Taskforce.

Oxfam preparedness programme has not only made people aware but the LDRMP prepared by LDRMC has been endorsed by the VDC council, which a good achievement, added Tamang.