| Overview : The vulnerability of Nepal to natural disasters is exacerbated by a lack of disaster resilient development practices, coordination and response mechanisms to adequately respond when a natural disaster strikes. The immediate aftermath of a natural disaster requires a targeted and coordinated response in order to save lives and minimize damages. An important aspect of having an effective coordination and response mechanism is the establishment of an Emergency Operating Centre (EOC). Given the importance of establishing a strong EOC network, UNDP in Nepal began an initiative, under the Disaster Risk Reduction at National Level in Nepal project (DRRNL), in 2010 to support the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) to establish a National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC) to coordinate the Government’s response to natural disasters. The efforts are continued through CDRMP in strengthening the National EOC and expanding further at regional, district and municipal levels.
National Emergency Operations Center (NEOC) was inaugurated on 17th December 2010. NEOC is structured under the Disaster Management Division of Ministry of Home Affairs. NEOC operates as the hub for coordination, communication and management of effective response to disasters in Nepal. The NEOC has been constructed with disaster resilient building and office features having special reinforcement so that it is functional during any major disasters including mega earthquakes. Regional, District and Municipal EOCs also work in close coordination to the MoHA/NEOC and manage response at regional, district and municipal level.
Regional, District and Municipal EOCs work in close coordination to the MoHA/NEOC and manage response at regional, district and municipal levels. District EOCs work under the DDRC in leadership of Chief District Officer (CDO) and normally housed in the District Administration Office (DAO). As per the instruction from MoHA, all DAOs have assigned Assistant CDO or administrative officer to work as a focal person of DEOC for facilitation, coordination and dissemination of disaster information as well as make effective operationalization of DEOC. The regional, district and municipal EOCs are equipped with basic office facilities, emergency power back up and communication equipment along with life-saving equipment.
The objective of the network of Emergency Operation Centers is to support a response system to provide timely, effective and appropriate humanitarian assistance in accordance with people's needs, efficiently and in a coordinated manner. The specific objectives of EOCs are:
• In the case of medium to large scale disasters, coordination of humanitarian assistance with all responding agencies, providing an information hub and thus support to management of the response,
• In stable development context: promotion of the disaster preparedness at their respective levels of government, and execution of policy and decisions of Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC) Regional Disaster Relief Committee (RDRC), District Disaster Relief Committee (DDRC) and Local Disaster Relief Committee (LDRC). Other key activities include updating disaster preparedness and response plans, resources mapping, simulation, development and review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) etc.
DEOCs have been established in 44 districts since 2011 (16 in 2011, 5 in 2012, 10 in 2013 and 13 in 2014). MEOCs were established in five municipalities namely Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Banepa Municipality and Ratnagar Municipality in 2012. Similarly, five REOCs, one each in Dhankuta, Hetauda, Pokhara, Surkhet and Dipayal, were also established in 2012. |
