A Systematic Review of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Policies and Practices in Nepal

Globally, Nepal is ranked 4th in terms of vulnerability to climate change and 11th in terms of vulnerability to earthquakes. The systematic review aims to examine the existing regulatory framework, policies, plans, and organisational aspects of the disaster risk reduction and management in the Government of Nepal, and provide insights for their effective implementation. The modified Institutional Legislative System (ILS) was employed as a framework to examine current disaster risk reduction and management policies and practices in Nepal. The study highlights the qualitative data from the original research, which was carried out utilising a qualitative systematic review. The data was analysed and presented through a content analysis approach. The study result revealed that there are available relevant policies, acts, and legal instruments for disaster risk reduction and management in Nepal; however, institutional capacity was found to be weak for effective implementation. The functions and duties of the different levels of government are clearly defined in policies; however, their capacity and accountability mechanisms are poor. Moreover, not clearly mention the vulnerability and inclusive issues in existing Disaster Risk Management (DRM) policies. The study found extant literature on Nepal’s context in laws and policies on disaster risk reduction and management in general, but found limited literature on empirical research and implementation status at the ground level.