The Roles of Local Governments in Disaster Management and Earthquake Reconstruction

Abstract

In March 2019, Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN), supported by The Asia Foundation, conducted field-level scoping research on the roles of local governments in reconstruction and disaster management. The objective was to document the perspectives, experiences, and needs of local governments to highlight challenges and opportunities and ultimately, contribute to improved disaster preparedness and future responses at the local level. In early 2019, the Nepal Reconstruction Authority (NRA) handed over several reconstruction related responsibilities to local governments in areas affected by the 2015 earthquake. Local governments also have constitutional authority, under the new federal structure, to design their own disaster management laws and policies and implement them.1 In this context, it is important to better understand the capacity, resources, interests and needs of local governments to effectively engage with reconstruction and disaster risk management.