Disaster Risk Reduction and Management in Nepal: Delineation of roles and responsibilities

Decentralization of DRRM has been institutionalized by the Constitution of Nepal giving sole authority to the local level and concurrent authority to the federal, provincial, and local levels. However, existing legal and institutional structures and mechanisms are not functioning in the spirit of constitutional mandates and internationally accepted approaches to DRR. There is ambiguity on the delineation of authority, responsibilities and accountability of federal, province and local governments to DRRM. Political leadership has realized these gaps. But, they are struggling to navigate through prevailing bureaucracy to change mechanism and approaches. This study explores possibilities and suggests criteria to initiate delineation of roles and decentralize DRRM to local governments. The main report is supplemented with summary for decision-makers (in English and Nepali language)/p>