Bharat Raj Poudel, Gerry Fitzgerald, Michele Clark, Amisha Mehta, Meen B. Poudyal Chhetri
Abstract
This review identifies gaps in knowledge, and progress towards implementation of the Post Hyogo Framework of Action. Nepal has identified priority areas; community resilience, sustainable development and climate change induced disaster risk reduction. However, one gap between policy and action lies in the ability of Nepal to act effectively in accordance with an appropriate framework for media activities.
Supporting media agencies include the Press Council, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Nepal Television, Radio Nepal and Telecommunications Authority and community based organizations. The challenge lies in further strengthening traditional and new media to undertake systematic work supported by government bodies and the National Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC). Within this context, the ideal role for media is one that is proactive where journalists pay attention to a range of appropriate angles or frames when preparing and disseminating information. It is important to develop policy for effective information collection, sharing and dissemination in collaboration with Telecommunication, Media and Journalists.
The aim of this paper is to describe the developments in disaster management in Nepal and their implications for media management.This studyprovides lessons forgovernment,community and the media tohelpimprove the framingofdisastermessages. Significantly,theresearchhighlightsthe prominencethatshould begiventoflood,landslides,lightning andearthquakes.
Nepal,as a consequence of its geographicallocationandchangingclimate,facesfrequentthreatsofnaturaldisasters. According to the World Bank’s 2005 Natural Disasters Hotspots Report, Nepal is ranked the 11th most vulnerable country to earthquake and 30th to flood risk. Geo-Hazards International (2011) has classified Kathmandu as one of the world’s most vulnerable cities to earthquakes. Inthelast fourdecades more than 32,000people in Nepal havelosttheirlives and annualmonetary loss is estimated at more than 15 million (US) dollars.
Read the full paper here from planet-risk,org, GRF Davos Planet@Risk, Volume 3, Number 2, October 2015