Natural hazards are increasingly common threats for citizens in the Global South. Over 1 billion people live there in areas vulnerable to hazards due to the lack of coping mechanisms of poorly built houses in highly exposed areas. Nepal is the 4th most vulnerable country in the world, and is frequently impacted by floods, earthquakes and landslides.
During this event, we share the latest research insights that contribute to the disaster resilience of Nepal. We will build a landslide inventory, discuss the latest hazard modeling and forecasting techniques, our understanding of post-disaster reconstruction after flood and earthquake affected areas and the development of disaster resilient infrastructure. Panel members from the University of Twente, Tribhuvan University, the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Erasmus University share their insights based on their continued engagement in research and development projects in Nepal. Each panel starts with a short introduction by the panel members and includes space for interaction with the audience and between the panel members. Join us to learn how different efforts contribute to the disaster resilience of Nepal and help define future steps!
Programm:
10.00 - 10.15 | Welcome - Introduction | Ashok Dahal and Eefje Hendriks |
10.15 - 12.00 | Workshop: Landslide inventory in Nepal | Cees van Westen, Ashok Dahal |
In this UNDRR workshop moderated by Ashok Dahal and Cees van Westen will initiate the discussion together with global and local experts in the landslide inventory in Nepal. The discussion will mainly follow the accessibility, availability, quality, and completeness of landslide inventory as well as relevant damage and loss information due to landslides in Nepal. This workshop will be organized in a hybrid setting and will be a focused discussion session, ending with the way forward for a better landslide inventory of Nepal. | ||
12:00 - 13:00 | Lunch | Optional |
13:00 - 14:00 | Hazard modeling and forecasting | Ashok Dahal, Sahara Sedhain, Indra Acharya |
In this panel, Indra Acharya from Tribhuvan University, Ashok Dahal, and Sahara Sedhain from the University of Twente and will discuss the challenges of modeling natural hazards in Nepal, considering factors such as geography, data availability, and methodology. The discussion will primarily focus on multi-hazard interactions and the approaches used to model them. Additionally, the panel will introduce the concept of anticipatory action, providing a global overview and comparing it to its current implementation in Nepal. The session will conclude with an open discussion, inviting the audience to explore challenges, solutions, and opportunities for bridging the gap between modeling and action, as well as its institutionalization within Nepal’s context. | ||
14:00 - 14:15 | Coffee break |
|
14:15 - 15:15 | Post disaster reconstruction | Barsha Shrestha, Eefje Hendriks, Nathan Clark |
In this panel we will look at different aspects around post-disaster reconstruction, presenting different lessons learned from the reconstruction process after the 2015 Gorkha earthquakes and recurring floods in the Terai area. Eefje Hendriks from the University of Twente will show insights for effective humanitarian and governmental reconstruction assistance. She presents how humanitarian and governmental efforts change social networks and what factors enable affected households to build back safer. Barsha Shrestha from Tribhuvan University shows how she used a longitudinal approach to study how the earthquake impacted people's lives. Nathan Clark presents an holistic understanding of factors influencing the decision making of disaster affected populations during post-disaster reconstruction to inspire the development of effective assistance. The panel members invite you to reflect on the lessons learned and their implications for practice. | ||
15:15 - 15:30 | Coffee break |
|
15:30 - 16:30 | Disaster Resilient Infrastructure | Sanjaya Upreti, ALberto Martinetti, Corinne Lamain |
Sanjaya Upreti from the Tribhuvan University will discuss the selection of nature-based solutions to protect communities against floods in Nepal and efforts to enhance the urban resilience of several cities. Corinne Lamain from Erasmus University takes a political ecology perspective in exploring military involvement in climate adaptation and migration, building dams and providing protection in the post-disaster response. Alberto Martinetti presents insights around occupational safety during the construction process of houses. | ||
16:30 - 17:30 | Networking drinks and posters | Marc van den Homberg (UT), Kees Boersma (VU) |
The event aims to spark the develop of novel research collaborations. In an interactive session, Marc van den Homberg from the University of Twente and Kees Boersma from the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam will lead the exploration of future research in a guided networking session. | ||
