Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/T01038X/1
Preparedness and planning for the mountain hazard and risk chain in Nepal
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor AL Densmore, Durham University, Geography
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr J Gaillard, University of Auckland, Environment
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr M S Lama, Social Science baha, UNLISTED
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor B Obara, Newcastle University, Sch of Computing
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor MJ Power, Durham University, Geography
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr S Beaven, University of Canterbury NZ, Geological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor M Dhital, Tribhuvan University, Geology
- Co-Investigator:
- Mr S Shrestha, NSET (Nat Soc for Earthquake Tech Nepal), UNLISTED
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor NJ Rosser, Durham University, Geography
- Co-Investigator:
- Mr G K Jimee, NSET (Nat Soc for Earthquake Tech Nepal), DPER (Disaster Preparedness Division)
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr SB Shneiderman, University of British Columbia, Anthropology
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr J Baniya, Social Science baha, UNLISTED
- Grant held at:
- Durham University, Geography
- Science Area:
- Earth
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Debris flows
- Earthquakes
- Risk analysis
- Risk management
- Seismic risk analysis
- Geohazards
- Hydrological Processes
- Rainfall events
- Hillslopes
- Environmental Geography
- Geographies of environmental risk
- Geography of environmental resilience
- Geography of natural hazards
- Abstract:
- Context Nearly 1 bn people live in mountain landscapes within developing countries. Living with the impacts of multiple hazards in mountainous regions, such as monsoon rainfall, earthquakes and landsliding, is for many a day-to-day reality. Both the short- and long-term impacts of hazards are often exaggerated by their concurrent or sequential timing, and by the socio-political context in which they occur. This context results from fragmented government, rapid population change, and the very localized impacts of global (geo)political interests. As a result, hazards have recurring and disproportionate impacts on some of the most vulnerable members of society. While much research has been conducted on both the socio-political context and the individual hazards and risks that people face, this work is rarely used for disaster risk management. Aims & objectives To tackle this, we build on our existing long-standing collaborations with the aim of examining how best to develop and use new interdisciplinary science to help inform better decision making and reduce the impacts of multi-hazards in mountain countries. We focus on Nepal, which has many similarities to other lower-income countries that endure complex multi-hazards resulting from earthquakes and monsoon rainfall as well as emerging systemic risks. Nepal is also undergoing complex social, political and economic transformation associated with a change to a federal system of government and changing geopolitical pressures, all within a hazardous yet densely populated landscape. The objectives of our research are each designed to make a significant difference to the ways in which residents, government, and the international community take decisions to manage multi-hazards and systemic risks. They include: (1) Thinking critically about our current understanding of the social, political, economic and environmental context within which disasters occur in Nepal, and the data that we use to assess that context; (2) Establishing a new approach to national-scale strategic-planning for complex multi-hazard events, which includes the consequences of linked earthquakes, monsoons and landslides; (3) Developing interdisciplinary science to anticipate, plan for, and communicate the range of hazards that occur during the monsoon; and (4) Finding the best ways to utilise local knowledge and interdisciplinary science to inform how to prepare for and respond to multi-hazard disasters. Potential applications and benefit To achieve our objectives, we bring together a team of Nepali and international researchers from a range of disciplines, including geoscience, social science and the humanities, who have track records in various facets of this issue. Together, we aim to: (1) develop new fundamental data and evidence to underpin decision-making, (2) establish pathways for getting the best possible information to those who need it, in a format and timeframe that are useful and usable, (3) think critically about how multi-hazards and risks can be effectively managed, and (4) nurture an environment that supports the young researchers and practitioners who will be the future of disaster risk management in Nepal. We ground our proposal within the context of our long-term community-based work with rural residents in Nepal, and reflect upon their articulations of the need to make better decisions to reduce the risks that they face. We also build upon our work on managing risks with the Government of Nepal and the United Nations, who coordinate disaster planning in the country. The Government, UN, and major development and humanitarian organisations have been involved from the outset in developing this proposal to ensure an agile, joined-up, evidence-based approach to multi-hazard and risk management.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Jan 2021 - 31 Mar 2025
- Value:
- £2,182,709 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/T01038X/1
- Grant Stage:
- Awaiting Event/Action
- Scheme:
- Directed - International
- Grant Status:
- Active
- Programme:
- GCRF Multi-Hazards Risk
This grant award has a total value of £2,182,709
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | Exception - Other Costs | DA - Investigators | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £55,580 | £488,371 | £953,162 | £108,815 | £399,814 | £88,345 | £88,623 |
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