1. EM-DAT Technical Advisory Group Meeting 26-27 October 2009, New York
Lessons of creating disaster database in Nepal
Surya Narayan Shrestha, Deputy Executive Director
National Society for Earthquake Technology – Nepal (NSET)

2. Significance of Disaster Database
Helps in creating scenarios of realized risks in the past
Supports policy decisions on
Strategic planning
Development planning
Disaster preparedness
At national to local levels
When disaster database is properly generated and maintained at national to local levels

3. Situation prior to DesInventar Database (2004)
Existing Database Systems in Nepal
MOHA Data
Rescue and relief
NRCS Data
MOA Data
Damage and loss of agricultural land and crops
EDCD Data
Epidemics and health issues

4. Problems in existing database system
Published disaster data are available only for the period after 1983
Lack of consistency in attributes of the data
No standardized data collection formats
No systematic analysis of the data
Focuses on those disasters which involved rescue operation and relief efforts
Small to medium scale disasters are not recorded
These have significant impact on development efforts

5. DesInventar in Nepal
Series of informal discussions held among UNDP/BCPR, NSET and other relevant institutions on the need for developing a comprehensive disaster database
UNDP/BCPR encouraged Nepalese institutions to initiate the process of systematic disaster inventory and was ready to support financially
During May 2003, a training program on DesInventar methodology was organized in Nepal
Participated by key Nepalese institutions: National Planning Commission (NPC), Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), UNDP/Nepal, Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC), Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), NSET)

6. The Project: DIMS
Disaster Inventory / Information Management System in Nepal (DIMS)
After the training, the participating institutions organized series of meetings and decided that NSET implements the project in creating disaster database of the period
UNDP/Nepal contracted NSET in November 2003 for implementing the project
Project period: December 2003 – July 2004 (8 months)
Amount: Approx. $18,000 (NRs. 1,402,104)
Included: trainings, data collection, verification, entry, analysis, workshops, report preparation

7. Key outputs and achievements from DIMS
Training of professionals
Establishment of the system
Collection and inventory of about 12,500 disaster events and their impacts
Analysis of disaster occurrences and their impacts
Sharing and exchange of data and lessons
Establish preliminary methodology for economic analysis
Concept for institutionalization of DIMS at national to local levels

8. Key outputs and achievements
Feasibility of developing and maintaining disaster database is established
Importance of disaster database is well realized by stakeholders
Wide acceptance on the need for continuation of the effort
Realizing this, NSET is continuing the effort by its own resources
2004 upto Jul already completed

9. DesInventar in Nepal Need Realized for Systematic Recording
NSET, itself, Continuing for the Remaining Years……
NSET Implemented for with support of UNDP
Training for 10 Professionals with support of UNDP/BCPR
A Computer Based Software DESINVENTAR
Need Realized for Systematic Recording

10. Methodology Identifying natural disaster events (in Nepalese context)
Develop data collection format
Identification of sources of information
Daily newspapers (Gorkhapatra Daily as the key source together with few other daily newspapers)
Reports and periodicals
Government records

11. Methodology Training for data collection and entry
Data collection and monitoring
Data entry into DesInventar system and analysis
Analysis of collected data
Display in Chart, Map and Tabular Forms

12. Disasters Events Considered in Nepal DesInventar
Earthquake
Fire
Storm
Flood
Landslide
Heavy rain
Famine
Epidemic
Sedimentation
GLOF
Avalanche
Snow storm
Hail storm
Thunder storm
Frost
Leak of Hazardous Fluid
Forest fire
Explosion
Plague
Panic
Pollution
Structural collapse
Boat Capsize
Cold Wave
Heat Wave
Accident
Strong wind
Drought

13. Key summaries from Disaster Database of Nepal (1971 – 2007)

14. No. of Buildings Damaged / Destroyed
Disaster Events during in Nepal (Source: DesInventar Database, NSET)
Event
Data-cards (Events)
Population Deaths
Population Affected
No. of Buildings Damaged / Destroyed
Flood
2,720
2,936
3,367,974
154,104
Landslide
2,184
3,987
479,972
25,451
Earthquake 94
873
4,539
89,020
Fire, Forest Fire
3,978
1,125
228,456
66,395
Epidemics
3,129
15,741
461,952 -
Drought
152
1,512
Cold Wave
192
298
1,453
Heat Wave 31 25
261
Famine 20 2
83,902
Avalanche 90
217
1,012 28
Other Hydro-meteorological
2,123
1,166
281,661
9,144
Others
675
886
13,868
1,781
Total
15,388
27,256
4,926,562
345,923

15. Nepal DesInventar : Summary Facts These are only reported figures!
Disasters are Frequent:
Total events recorded = 15,388 (for past 37 years, AD)
Total deaths 27,256 (Annual average deaths = 736)
Missing: more than two thousands
Injury: 54,182
Annual average people affected = 133,150
These are only reported figures!

16. Yearly Spread of Disaster Events
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

17. Spatial Spread by Districts
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

18. NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment
Spread by VDC
 VDCs with 6 or more
 VDCs with 5
 VDCs with 4
 VDCs with 3
 VDCs with 2
 Below or equal to 1
        
Number of Datacards
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

19. Deaths by Disaster-hazard Types
Percentage distribution of death numbers
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

20. Hazard-wise Affected Population
Top 10 Disaster Types
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

21. Buildings Destroyed & Damaged by Hazard Types
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

22. Buildings Destroyed & Damaged by Year
August 24, 2009
NSET: Nepal Risk Assessment

23. Disaster Calendar Prepared by Analyzing DesInventar Database
Note: Earthquake can occur at any time, and hence it has no seasonal variation

24. Characteristics / limitations of Nepal disaster database
Data of 1971 and afterwards are covered, due to
Availability of resources: time and money
Limited reporting of disasters in media
Events – all: small, medium to large events with one or the other type of impacts are covered
Disaster event-types generalized into 28 types
Data from the secondary sources only, no field verifications have been made
However, the data verified from different sources

25. Observations in current DesInventar System
Events vs. No. of data cards
Change/update in political/administrative boundaries
Economic analysis

26. Next Steps Central/National District Local
Institutionalization of the system at National level
Training for potential users
Establish the system in each District
Central/National District Local
However, this will take time; therefore NSET continues maintaining the database

27. The collaboration with CRED
Expected to be fruitful in enhancing the data quality
Increase compatibility with global database systems

28. Thank You

29. Approx. Cost for Maitaining
Required cost for continuing the effort (NSET continuing in the current mode of data collection)
USD 15,000 per year
Covers
Data collection from secondary sources, verification, entry, analysis, report preparation
Cost covers
Staff cost, Hardware/software, office logistics, transportation etc.