Background: In partnership with local government bodies and international NGOs, DiMaNN launched a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and humanitarian support piloting program in two vulnerable districts of Nepal. The aim was to test a localized disaster response mechanism in coordination with local stakeholders.

Objective: To build community-level resilience by improving preparedness and ensuring a well-coordinated humanitarian response.

Activities:

• A detailed vulnerability and risk assessment was conducted to identify key risk areas.
• Field-based trainings were organized for local government representatives, community leaders, and volunteers to improve their response capabilities.
• Emergency preparedness kits were distributed, including first-aid supplies, shelter materials, and food packages.
• Regular drills and mock scenarios were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the disaster response mechanism.

Outcome: The program was successfully piloted and proved effective during the earthquake drills conducted in both districts. Local communities reported greater confidence in managing disaster situations, and the response mechanism reduced the time taken to provide humanitarian assistance.

Impact:

• The response time during the 2023 flood disaster was reduced by 40% compared to previous years.
• The pilot model is now being replicated in other districts of Nepal.