Disaster Preparedness and Response

1. Disaster Preparedness and Response • Bhutan is susceptible to multiple natural hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, floods and forest fires. • Bhutan lies in one of the world’s most seismically active zones and has been hit by several major earthquakes, most recently in 2009 and 2011. • Vulnerability of the population has been exacerbated due to increased urbanization, unsafe building and construction practices (often due to socioeconomic factors), poor infrastructure in many areas, low levels of community awareness of the hazards, and inadequate preparedness and response capacities at all levels. • Key infrastructure and heritage buildings are particularly at risk. DPG Meeting Thimpu, 28 February

2. Disaster Preparedness and Response – major gaps Major disaster preparedness and response gaps (from earthquake simulation exercise and inter-agency contingency plan): • Limited coordination and understanding of roles of agencies in disaster response • Limited disaster awareness • Lack of data and data sharing • Limited capacity (staff and resources) • Limited logistics capacity for immediate relief and longer term assistance

3. UN disaster preparedness actions 2019 (UNSDPF OG4) • Development and implementation of a joint “Roadmap for Disaster Risk Management in Bhutan” (DDM & WFP) • UNDP • Housing stock data and vulnerability assessment of typical buildings • Risk assessment and projections of typical buildings and capacity building for core technical group • Training on construction of resilient buildings at village level • Support to early recovery and shelter plan • UNICEF • Training for logistics management of emergency supplies and exercise on how to use prepositioned emergency supplies for focal points • Supporting integration of disaster risk reduction in education curriculum • Training on education in emergencies for early childhood care and development (ECCD) facilitators • WHO • Training of relevant officials (doctors, nurses, ward boys, health assistants, Dessups, local leaders, teachers, district health officers, disaster focal officer in districts) on Medical Camp Kit • Support Ministry of Health in certifying and capacity building of Emergency Medical Team • Develop National Action Plan for Health Security • Preposition of personal deployments kits and emergency medical supplies • WFP • Strengthen coordination through the Roadmap for Disaster Risk Management in Bhutan and expanding the IA Disaster Management Task team to all DPs • Establishment of the 72 hour post disaster needs assessment approach and capacity in (DDM) to enable a national response within 72 hours • Development of an Earthquake Impact model to assess likelihood and impact for prioritization of assistance in an emergency • Humanitarian Logistics Infrastructure needs assessment towards setting up humanitarian staging areas; mobile storage units (MSUs) and pre-positioning of stocks • Strengthen national capacity and coordination of CSO/NGOs in disaster preparedness and response

4. Way Forward – six focus areas Way Forward – six focus areas • Disaster Awareness: Earthquake impact model, communication and advocacy, visit to e.g. Nepal and India • Coordination: Development and implementation of a joint Roadmap for Disaster Risk Management in Bhutan • Expand the IA Disaster Management Task Team to include Red Cross, JICA, CSOs for better overall coordination across all sectors • Government commitment, capacity and investments: national champion, training, investment case, roadmap • Joint funding / resourcing: .. for joint projects • Data: digital 72 hours post disaster needs assessment to enable nationa disaster response within 72 hours • Sector preparedness: Logistic, health, education, shelter, emergency telecommunication, WASH, food