Lessons learnt from domestic preparedness prior to Nepal Earthquake 2015

1. Lessons learnt from domestic preparedness prior to Nepal Earthquake 2015 Arya Manandhar INSARAG UN OCHA

2. 1. Preparedness in Government Administration • Govt of Nepal had worked with the UN, donors and foreign militaries in seminars and exercises over the previous years. • UK Department for International Development (DFID) funded SAR strategy • An international Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium (NRRC) was functioning. Projects in next slide. • Activation of DDRC at earthquake hit districts, mobilisation of district level security forces for response was practised • Community people involvement along with security forces was practiced • Many seminars and exercises with US Marines and Indian military were conducted

3. 1. A) The Nepal Risk Reduction Consortium

4. 2. Lessons - Preparedness for working with incoming emergency responders and NGOs • Coordination mechanisms practiced earlier i.e. National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC) and Multinational Military Coordination Centre (MNMCC) set up • Various arrangements were made to facilitate incoming of the International humanitarian actors: 24 hrs opening of Immigration offices, Visa fee exemption, Customs clearance-model agreement etc • Ministry of Health set up a functional coordination mechanism jointly with WHO for incoming medical teams worked well. • Ministry of Home Affairs capacity to run the NEOC needs to be enhanced

5. 3. Lessons - Airfield preparedness & Customs procedures Channelized air assistance required: launch through one channel i.e. the Air Operation Coordination Cell of Multinational Military Coordination Centre (MNMCC) in coordination with the Air Ops Centre established at the Mid Air Base at TIA. Formation of additional air base (like in Pokhara during the rescue and relief operation), an effective Aviation Coordination Cell involving representatives from all the sectors has to be formed to run the air operations.

6. 4. Lessons - Preparedness of Medical Facilities for mass casualties • All Incoming International Medical Teams were not self-contained in terms of transportation. The GoN needs to arrange adequate means of transportation for the movement of the Teams and their stores. • International Medical Teams are encouraged to provide effective and mobile hospitals with surgical capability required. • Other medical teams with OPD and Minor Surgery capability should be discouraged • Coordination of Medical Teams have to be done through MNMCC in close coordination with Health Cluster Lead of the Government of Nepal and WHO which will have a direct coordination of all national as well as international medical teams. • The Incoming International Medical Team's (both military as well as non military) capabilities should be examined in detail for the effective utilization prior to their deployment.

7. 5. Lessons - Preparedness in USAR management • INSARAG Training And Procedures work. Exercises conducted in Nepal helped. • The incoming foreign USAR team should be self-contained as per INSARAG Guidelines. • Only INSARAG certified USAR Teams should be allowed to come into the country for assistance. • OSOCC was established only after the 4th day and MNMCC had to coordinate with non-military SAR team as well • Some of the USAR team came without self sustenance and it added extra burden to Nepalese government • Some of the USAR team has their own preferable areas of operation that created duplication on work

8. 5. A) FAST FACTS: Immediate Urban Search and Rescue Forces and Operations