Issue 12 September 2009 Kathmandu, Nepal
16th NSET Day 2009 Students Summit National Society for Earthquake Technology Nepal (NSET) on Earthquake Safety 2009 celebrated its 16th Anniversary in a gala event organized in its office premises at designated institutional area of Bhainsepati Awas Chhetra, Lalitpur. Accompanied by a gracious presence of invitees among from NSETs partners, well wishers & community people; together-with NSET Founders, Board Members & Office Staffs, President of NSET Mr. Shiva Bahadur Pradhanang officially dedicated newly built building facilities of Community Earthquake Learning Center (CELC) to the Nation. In his historical note, Mr. Pradhanang declared CELC as an autonomous and financially self sustained public institution to operate under the management of NSET. On the auspicious occasion, General Secretary and Executive Director of NSET Mr. Amod Mani Dixit briefed about the During Students' Summit rally at Hetauda various features of the Center. CELC has been envisioned to serve as a Amid series of interactive sessions of for Earthquake Technology (NSET), Centre of Excellence in general for idea sharing, brainstorms & public the School Physical Improvement Disaster Risk Management and in advocacies, Students Summit on Program, being implemented by particular for Earthquake Risk Earthquake Safety 2009 has Department of Education (DOE), and Management in Nepal. It will facilitate proclaimed Hetauda Resolution- as part of the Disaster Education practical researches in specific 2009 renewing their vigour and Program of Maiko High School, Kobe, problem areas and provide physical commitments to keep schools safe Japan; the Students Summit for facilities for earthquake disaster from earthquake. The residential 3- Earthquake Safety-2009 was awareness and education for specific day Summit held during 3-5 August organized jointly by the three target groups, such as children, 2009 at Hetauda, Nepal drew a total institutions in close collaboration with artisans. It will have a museum for of 125 participants including 66 ActionAid Nepal, Japan International transferring the lessons learned from students and 32 teachers from 30 Cooperation Agency (JICA), Save the past earthquakes to the current and public schools in 18 districts of Children Alliance Nepal, UNICEF, future generations. The building Nepal, 10 participants from various and USAID. The 3-day Summit structure is visualized to serve as a disaster management committees, a program included physical exercises model of earthquake resistant delegation of 17 Japanese and games, cultural programs, construction, use of various forms of participants including 2 teachers and earthquake drills, lectures and alternative energy like solar/wind 10 students from Maiko High School discussion on various aspects of of Kobe and 3 delegates from earthquake and preparedness, and Support for International Disaster practical exercises on improving Education (SIDE) a Japanese NGO earthquake preparedness in schools. created by previous students of During the program, the participants Maiko High School and 2 delegates happily engaged in all activities. from Osaka University. Presence of Japanese students and teachers was extremely motivating. As a part of the School Earthquake The Summit ended with a Hetauda Safety Program (SESP) being Resolution 2009 in which the implemented by National Society ... Continued to page 2 'Safer Society' and 'Newsletter' unveiled ... Continued to page 8 :: In This Issue Japanese and Nepali Students participating summit Comparative Risk Assessment in Humal District o f Nepal 2 Pull Down Test for Existing Mud Mortar Masonry Building 2 Orientation Programs 3 Page NSET Activities 5 Profile 8 1 RECENT PROGRAMS OF NSET Comparative Risk Assessment in Humla District of Nepal
National Society for Earthquake assessment procedure and model in for each surveyed village. GIS map Technology Nepal (NSET) with order to adapt it to Nepali context. with hazard, vulnerability / ability support from Mission East Nepal is and risk information for the area conducting a comparative risk This will be achieved through field covered by the survey will be assessment in Humla district with an data collection, data entry and prepared and finally needs assess- objective to identify and map the analysis of approximately 35 villages ment report outlining: findings and areas/villages more at risk of multiple in Humla district. The data will be recommendations, including a list of hazards in selected VDCs of Humla entered into an Excel database recommended communities for district and review the present risk designed by Mission East to identify intervention will be prepared. level of vulnerability, hazard and risk
Pull Down Test for Existing Mud Mortar Masonry Building
Most of the loss of life in the past building has been planned in Nepal masonry building was chosen to earthquakes was due to collapse of as part of the Regional Program of convert into two different similar non-engineered masonry buildings. Earthquake Risk Reduction and structures. One part of the structure Such non-engineered masonry Recovery Preparedness Program is proposed to test for the pull down buildings are widely available in (ERRRPP). NSET is providing the in as-it-is condition while the other Nepal. Knowing the seismic risk of technical assistance needed for the part is proposed to test for the pull such widely available masonry pull down test and the test is being down load after seismic retrofitting. buildings and identifying possible funded by ADRC. improvement measures is of utmost The pull down test of the existing importance for reducing the overall An existing mud mortared masonry building is scheduled for October 15 seismic risk of the country. Realizing building in Bhaisepati area of Lalitpur and the test of the retrofitted building this, a pull down test on an existing has been identified for conducting for October 26, 2009. the test. The symmetrical mud mortar
Continues Students' Summit ... among schools of Nepal and Chief District Officer, Makawanpur between Nepalese schools and in the midst of a mass of participants, Maiko High School of Japan observers, media-persons and · Promote in Nepal international oraganizers assembled at Seminar good practices including rich Hall, Hotel Avocado, Hetauda. In his experience of Japan on earthquake keynotes, he emphasized on the safety, especially after the Kobe importance of the summit in Earthquake of 1995. developing earthquake safety in day to day life of people. · Provide a common platform for cultural exchange among school Representatives of the collaborating children nationally and institutions referred to the high internationally and for discussing casualty of school-going children and Rally for Earthquake Safety methods of developing and teachers during recent earthquakes in implementing School Earthquake the region, critically evaluated the students, the teachers, the activists Preparedness and Evacuation programs in Nepal, highlighted the committed to work further to ensure plan. 1) all schools to be made earthquake safe, 2) to promote inter-school and · Develop understanding and international collaboration in school fraternity among school students earthquake safety, and 3) proposed of different parts of Nepal and to expand the summit outreach to with students from Kobe, Japan. other seismic countries of the Asia. The program commenced on 3rd August in the early morning at 7:00hrs with a rally carrying placards of various awareness slogans to keep schools earthquake safer. Around 500 people from various corners of society, including students from Japanese Students Performing Cultural Program Nepal and Japan in large, walked around the city covering key areas of immense potential contribution of the the locality. The rally was addressed students in achieving earthquake by District Education Officer Mr. safety in community by carrying the Drill Program exercised Cholendra Kumar Pandit and other message from schools to family and speakers from organizing partner ultimately to the community. A Campaign theme of the Summit was organizations. consensus opinion was the necessity Lets Keep Our Schools Safe from of expanding the outreach of disaster Earthquakes. The summit was then formally safety message to all households and opened by Chief Guest of the opening Objectives of the Summit were: to all communities of Nepal. The ceremony, Mr. Hari Prasad Mainali, speakers endorsed the efforts made · Raising earthquake awareness of so far in the country and tasked NSET participating schools and to continue the School Earthquake institutions by sharing of Safety Program including creative Page knowledge and experience advocacy at policy-makers level. 2
Inaugural session of Students' Summit REGIONAL TRAINING PROGRAM PEER 3 Regional Planning Meeting The Regional Planning Meeting groups (health ministries and Red (RPM) held on July 27-29, 2009 in Cross societies) how to proceed Bangkok was the launching pad on the emergency response for PEER Stage 3. The meeting enhancement within Stage 3 and was a good platform to present beyond. Country planning the scope of the program and meetings will then be conducted ensure common understanding after the RPM to strategize PEER by all beneficiary countries. roadmap of the project countries. Highlights include review of accomplishments in PEER Stage Nepal Country Planning Meeting 2, presented by NSET; and for Objectives 1 and 2 was held Mr. A.M. Dixit, ED - NSET in small group discussion visioning by the PEER nodal on August 27-28, 2009, in with delegates from Bangladesh agencies/NDMOs (National Kathmandu, led by the Ministry proceed to meet with other PEER- Disaster Management Organi- of Home Affairs, Government of member countries in the coming zations) and other partnering Nepal. NSET and ADPC will months.
ORIENTATION PROGRAMS Orientation Program on Earthquake Risk Reduction and Preparedness July, 2009: On request from Nepal August, 2009: An orientation August, 2009: On request from Heritage and Culture Concern program on earthquake Plan Nepal, an orientation (NHCC), an orientation program preparedness and an earthquake program on earthquake on earthquake preparedness was drill was conducted at Kendriya preparedness was conducted for conducted for their staff and Vidyalaya, Embassy of India. the staff members of Plan at Plan volunteers at NHCC premises, Nepal Country Office. Lalitpur.
HETAUDA RESOLUTION 2009
ment of the SUMMIT objectives and program by officials of Ministry of Education Nepal, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), USAID, UNICEF, ActionAid Nepal, Save the Children Alliance Nepal, and Women and Children Development Forum (WCDF); and encouraged to continue our efforts Having been encouraged by the focus on Safer Schools by several interna- Drill exercise Participating students working in session safety from them by formal and tional initiatives such as Hyogo informal education, We, the participants of the Students Frameworks of Action 2005-2015, the Summit For Earthquake Saftey, 2009, International Decade for Education 3. Be actively involved in making comprising 125 students and teachers for Sustainable Development, and by our school buildings strong from Nepal and Japan, together with national disaster risk management against natural hazards, our mentors from NSET, Maiko High strategies of Nepal, Japan and other 4. Assist in developing and School, SIDE, and Osaka University countries, implementing school disaster preparedness plan including Having been enthused by the build- Having met for 3-days under the evacuation drills in our schools, Summit Campaign theme Lets Keep up of friendship, mutual under- Our Schools Safe from Earthquakes standing, and confidence on the 5. Assist our parents, teachers, potentials of making a difference in community leaders and Having been inspired by the ongoing our countries and the region during government officials to make our School Earthquake Safety Program Summit, schools gradually safer against of NSET, School Physical Improve- natural hazards, We the participants collectively reso- ment Program under Education for 6. Listen to the advice of and lve, hereby, that WE WILL: All (EFA) program of DOE, the collaborate with benevolent Disaster Education Program of Maiko 1. Consolidate the knowledge and organizations in the High School, international efforts lessons of earthquake safety implementation of school disaster made by the Support for International gained during the summit and reduction programs, Disaster Education (SIDE), Japan, and contribute to disseminate that to 7. Advocate for expanding outreach disaster research programs of Osaka our schools and communities, University of the summit to other schools of 2. Continuously learn about natural Nepal and other disaster prone Having been inspired by the endorse- hazards and ways of achieving countries of the region, and 8. Express our gratitude to the Drill exercise various organizations that supported us through this Summit. Page
Mr. S.N. Shrestha, DED - NSET briefing on 3 summit from Radio Makawanpur FM, Hetauda SCHOOL EARTHQUAKE SAFETY PROGRAM (SESP) of NSET School Safer Against Earthquake
Under NERMP with the support from SESP/DRRSP of Action Aid Nepal USAID/OFDA, School Earthquake ongoing Safety Program (SESP) has been New Construction of Janakalyan implemented in Mahendra Adarsha Secondary school at Banke under Higher Secondary School, Imadol, SESP/DRRSP of Action Aid Nepal Lalitpur; Sakala Devi Lower ongoing Secondary School, Kadambas, Dibyapuri, Nawalparasi; and Kali Foundation work at Kali Devi H.S. Devi Higher Secondary School, School, Kavresthali, Kathmandu Kavresthali, Kathmandu. NSET has under SESP/NERMP underway implemented Disaster Risk Reduction Retrofitting work at Churiya Mai Teachers & students' orientation on earthquake safety through School Project (DRRSP) in in Nawalparasi under GFDRRWorld Bank Secondary School, Hetauda under four districts, Kathmandu, SESP/DRRSP of Action Aid Nepal Makwanpur, Rasuwa and Banke with Trainings for teachers, students, underway support from DFID through community and local masons at Contruction above the plinth level partnership with Action Aid Nepal. Janakalyan & Mahendra is ongoing at Bagishwori Also, NSET has been developing Secondary School, Banke under Secondary School, Bichaur, National Strategy for improving SESP/DRRSP of Action Aid Lamjung under GFDRR/World seismic safety of schools in Nepal Nepal from 2-8 June 2009 Bank 3-day Students Summit on Orientation for teachers, students Earthquake Safety 2009- 3 to 5 and mason at Bagishwori August 2009, Hetauda, Nepal Secondary School, Bichaur, Training on disaster safety to Lamjung under GFDRR/World students & teachers by Support Bank for International Disaster Orientation for teachers, students Education (SIDE, Kobe) at Bal and community at Shanti Higher Bikash Secondary School, Alapot Secondary School, Kuncha, on 12 August 2009 Lamjung under GFDRR/World New construction of Mahendra Bank Adarsha School, Imadol under Earthquake Resistant RCC School SESP/NERMP underway building construction and masons New Construction of Sakala Devi training at Kalika Higher L.S. School, Nawalparasi under Secondary School at Gaidakot, SESP/NERMP underway Nawalparasi under GFDRR/ Construction of first floor at Buddha Jyoti Bal Udhyan LSS, Balaju, Kathmandu under SESP/DRRSP/Action Retrofitting work for ground floor World Bank ongoing Aid Nepal at Buddha Jyoti L.S. School, Balaju, under the financial support from Kathmandu completed and new World Bank/GFDRR since August construction for first floor under 2008. Pilot project has been SESP/DRRSP of Action Aid implemented at Nawalparasi and Nepal ongoing Lamjung District under which New Construction of Bal Kumari different level of training programs Secondary School, Sunakothi, on school preparedness have been Lalitpur under SESP/DRRSP of completed and survey of almost all Action Aid Nepal ongoing of the public school buildings is in Bansha Gopal H.S. School and progress. Churiya Mai Secondary Schools Activities accomplished so far at Hetauda, Makwanpur under Trainings for teachers, students, SESP/DRRSP of Action Aid community at Kalidevi Higher Nepal completed Secondary School, Kavresthali, New Construction of Seti Bhoomi Kathmandu under SESP/NERMP L.S. School at Rasuwa completed During Cross sharing workshop at Hetauda on 17th on 4th Sep, 2009 and Shyame Wangfel Secondary May 2009 under SESP/DRRSP/Action Aid Nepal School, Rasuwa under
EARTHQUAKE ENGINEERING RESEARCH & TRAINING DIVISION (EERT)
Activities carried under the EERT Division of NSET buildings of British Embassy and American Embassy Qualitative and quarntitative seismic vulnerability assessment Preparation of tender document and retrofit design of buildings for implementation of possessed by various retrofitting work in two organizations that include the buildings of British Embassy.
Page 4 Wall jacketing for retrofitting ACTIVITIES/NSET BRIEFS NSET Activities Outside Nepal Comprehensive Disaster Management Program (CDMP) Under the Comprehensive Disaster mechanism and use of risk maps for earthquake risk reduction and Management Program (CDMP) earthquake risk reduction and contingency planning. There were Bangladesh, Asian Disaster contingency planning for effective around 26 participants at the training preparedness Centre (ADPC) jointly emergency response has been from Dhaka, Chittagong and Sylhet with National Society for Earthquake organized. Technology-Nepal (NSET) with other cities. The participants represented partners are facilitating different A five days training on Earthquake from different departments of trainings and awareness activities Risk Assessment and Planning Using Government line agencies, City such as the process of technology HAZUS Tools was conducted in Corporation & University. transfer, information sharing and Dhaka for the planners and decision establishing a system for continuing makers under the Training, Advocacy the activities in future. and Awareness component conducted in Dhaka from August 18- As a part of the series of trainings and 22, 2009. The main aim of the training awareness activities planned and is to impart knowledge and skills of implemented, training to planners the participants on the process of and decision makers on the process earthquake risk assessment at city of earthquake risk assessment at city level, use of selected risk assessment level, use of risk assessment tool/s, tool/s, develop updating process and develop updating process and mechanism and use of risk maps for Participants of training, Bangladesh NSET in Country Workshop on Modern Peshawar,Ishfaq Ahmad Research National Society for Earthquake Laboratories, University of Technology-Nepal (NSET) and Methods in Seismic Hazard Balochistan, Quetta, Geological other organizations Assessment Survey of Pakistan, Institute of recommendations that have been Engineering, Lalitpur, Nepal, accepted by the GON. The Office of Foreign Disaster Department of Mines and Geology, Assistance (OFDA) and U.S Nepal and National Society for - Support initial development of Geological Survey (USGS) in close Earthquake Technology (NSET) . basic procedures/checklists to coordination with National society maximize whole of government for Earthquake Technology Nepal TEMPEST EXPRESS 17 unity of effort (NSET) organized a week long workshop on Modern Methods in With an aim to build capacity and Support the development/ Seismic Hazard Assessment during improve ability of representative refinement of international, organizations to work together for multiagency disaster management disaster victim for more rapid and and emergency response more effective response, a workshop mechanisms complimentary to MPAT (Multinational Planning existing procedures Augmentation Team) Tempest Conduct a disaster relief workshop Express 17 (TE-17) was organized that supports the Government of from 26 August to 4 September 2009 Nepals capability to respond to at Hotel Yak and Yeti, Kathmandu. extensive disasters in the The MPAT is a multinational program Kathmandu Valley/Terai regions established in early 2000 to plan and Test MNF SOP procedures relevant execute coalition operations. The to humanitarian assistance and MPAT program includes military Glimpse of the Workshop disaster relief missions and civil- planners from all interested nations military coordination 8-12 June, 2009 at Club Himalaya, and also incorporates expertise from Nagarkot, Bhaktapur. International & Non-governmental Improve civil-military coordination Organizations and the UN. The and staff planning skills to deal with The workshop provided an overview primary focus of MPAT is to improve rapid onset disasters of modern seismic hazard assessment, multinational interoperability at the with emphasis on freely available The program was basically a operational level of command in simulation exercise based on software tools. The workshop also emergency response. included a series of lectures by earthquake scenario for Kathmandu participants as well as workshop The major objectives of the workshop and it was the 17th workshop of the leaders on key issues associated with were to MPAT series. There are 31 MPAT regional seismic hazard assessment member countries at present and out techniques. Support Government of Nepal of that 25 had participated in the (GON) efforts to develop an workshop. NSET had provided There were 13 Pakistani participants integrated whole of government technical support at organizational from seven different organizations approach to disaster relief planning, level for the construction of the and 5 Nepalese participants from 3 preparedness and response exercise. different organizations who were benefited from the workshop. - Improve coordination between NSET professionals, Mr. Ram NA and civil agencies and Chandra Kandel, Director SESP,and The Participating Institutions were ; amongst civil agencies involved Ms. Bhubaneswari Parajuli, Gender, NESPAK, Islamabad, NED in HA/DR Social and Env. Mgmt. Specialist University, Karachi, Berkeley participated in the Tempest-17. Associates, Lahore, University of - Support implementation of UN, Page 5 Kathmandu District Level Orientation Program for VDC staff Disaster Risk Reduction (48) of Pukhulachhi, Nanglebhare, Lapsiphedi, Suntol, Bajra Yogini, Program and representatives of political NSET is providing technical parties, NGOs at Pukhulachhi assistance to the program, Kathmandu District Level Disaster KMC Risk- Sensitive Land Risk Reduction Program organized Use Planning by District Development Committee Started with Cross Cutting Capacity (DDC), Kathmandu. The major Orientation Program on DRR, Thankot, Kathmandu objective of the program is the Development (3cd) program- 2005, Management of Natural Disaster orientations were provided for the NSET now is providing assistance to Risks specially emphasizing in the DDC/VDC staff of Kathmandu DDC Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC Earthquake risk reduction in such as; with the funding from German Kathmandu. Its specific objectives are Committee for Disaster Reduction to: i) Institutionalize the Metropolitan Orientation Program for DDC (DKKV) to support the two city, municipalities and 57 VDCs staff components i) Risk Sensitive Land under Kathmandu DDC with respect Use Planning for Kathmandu Orientation Program for VDC staff Metropolitan City (KMC); ii) to disaster risk management; ii) (36)of Dahachowk, Balambu, conduct orientation and training Emergency Management system in Badbhanjyang, Thankot and KMC. program in the respective Mahadevsthan, and municipalities and Village representatives of political parties, In this course a Participatory Development Committtes (VDCs) for NGOs at Thankot on 24 June 2009. Validation of the KMC Profile and the enhancement of capacity building Situational Analysis Workshop was regarding the DRR and iii) conduct Orientation Program for VDC staff conducted on 15 July 2009 and further the community based awareness (43) of Shesh Narayan, Talku a Multi stakeholder Workshop on program about the earthquake and Dude Chaur, Chhaimale, Dakshin Visioning, Goals and Objectives its preparedness Kali, Chalnakhel, Seti devi and Setting was conducted from 16-17 July representatives of political parties, Under the program a series of 2009 at NSET meeting hall NGOs on 25 June 2009. Bhainsepati, Lalitpur.
Other Activities
As a part of the capacity building With the objective to test collaboration with all agencies and of the NSET professional an emergency response capability of organizations involved in disaster interactive lecture on photogra- the various elements of the management to meet the phy was conducted at the NSET response plan designed by emergency shelter needs during meeting hall on July 22, 2009. The ICIMOD in case of earthquakes emergencies and to promote lecture was delivered by one of and to raise staffs awareness cooperation and coordination the energetic-practicing- about the earthquake prepare- among the relevant organizations professional-photo-journo Mr. dness, an Earthquake Drill in providing emergency shelter Min Bajracharya on the theme of Exercise was conducted in required for the people rendered capturing events or moments in ICIMOD on 30th June 2009 with homeless by disasters. camera more nicely with the view the technical facilitation of NSET. to enhance the work quality in The workshop had the following keeping records of various NSET NSET professionals, Mr. Ganesh two agendas: activities more in point of fact. Jimee, Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager and Ms. - Finalizing for all agencies the The session remained much agreed specifications and interactive in terms of sharing Bhubaneswari Parajuli, Gender, Social and Env. Mgmt. Specialist quantities, facilitating practice-based ideas and uniformity for emergency techniques. participated in a two-day Shelter Cluster workshop organized by interventions when An Orientation Program on UN Habitat on 20-21 July 2009 at approaching donors for Yoga was organized for the staff Hotel Malla, Lainchaur. It was the funding, session led by IFRC, of NSET at the YOGA Hall, third workshop of its series for NRCS and UN Habitat CELC/NSET on Monday August the development of Contingency - Reviewing and Revising the 31, 2009. Mr. Kiran Shankar Plans for emergency shelter. The Sphere handbook and Yogacharya (Swami Shivalingam main objective of the Contingency minimum standards for Saraswati), Chairman of Society Plan is to support the Government shelter, settlement and NFIs, of Hydrologists & Meteorologists- of Nepal (GoN) to undertake session led by Red R India Nepal delivered his insightful preparedness activities in lecture on it.
NSET Intern Ms Catalina Jaime from Colombia joined NSET as an intern for a period of 3 months, July- September 2009. Ms. Jaime is a student of the NOHA Mundus Master Program in International Humanitarian Action, specialized in Conflict, Disaster and Peace Building, from Deusto University in Spain and Uppsala University in Sweden. As according to her interest in the comprehensive analysis of the key role of a national NGO in DRM she is involved in analyzing the Community Based Disaster Risk Management (CBDRM) Program in order to carry out an impact evaluation of CBDRM projects at NSET. Page 6 TRAININGS 26 Masons from Bhaktapur 11-14 June 2009 at Janakpur. 29 District were provided training masons from Mahottari, on Earthquake Resistant Dhanusha and Sarlahi took part Construction of Buildings during in the 4 day training program. 7-11 June 2009. The training was conducted by NSET with support The mason training program was from Department of Urban followed by a Shake Table Development and Building Demonstration which was done Construction (DUDBC), Division in front of Ram Janaki Mandir, Office Kathmandu and Thimi Janakpur on June 15, 2009 with Municipality. the participation of more than 200 observers. Participants of Mason training, Janakpur NSET in association with DUDBC Division Office, Dhanusha NSET professionals, Mr. Bijay K. Practice Training for building conducted a Training Program for Upadhyay, Mr. Surya P. Acharya capacities on Emergency response, Masons on Earthquake Resistant and Mr. Ganesh Jimee attended organized by RedR India during Construction of Buildings during the 5-day training program on Essentials of Humanitarian 1-5 July 2009 at Dhulikhel Nepal.
MOU A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Central Department of Geography (CDG) and National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) on July 31, 2009 with an aim to pool information, expertise and human resources to contribute to effective earthquake risk management in Nepal. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) on August 2009 in order to establish collaboration between disaster database initiatives in Asia, in order to strengthen their quality and improve the interoperability between them.
International Day for Disaster QUAKE MONITOR (International) Year Magnitude Location Remark Reduction 23/06/ 09 6.7 New Ireland Region, No reports of damage or casualties In 1989, the United Nations General Assembly Papua New Guinea designated the second Wednesday of October 01/07/ 09 6.4 Crete, Greece No reports of damage or casualties International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction 09/07/ 09 5.7 Yunnan, China One person killed, 336 people injured and (resolution ). The International Day was observed severe damage in the Yao'an area annually during the International Decade for 15/07/ 09 7.6 Off West Coast of the No reports of damage or casualties Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999. South Island, NewZealand In 2001, the General Assembly decided to maintain the observance of the International Day for Natural 03/08/09 6.9 Gulf of California No reports of damage or casualties Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), as a vehicle to 09/08/09 7.1 Izu Island, Japan No reports of damage or casualties promote a global culture of natural disaster Region reduction, including disaster prevention, 10/08/09 6.6 Santa Cruz Islands No reports of damage or casualties mitigation and preparedness. 10/08/09 7.5 Andaman Islands, No reports of damage or casualties The Disaster Reduction Day is celebrated every India Region year, to mark the series of events and efforts that 10/08/09 6.4 Near the South Coast One person killed, 123 people injured and led to formulation of the international strategy on of Honshu Japan 5,192 buildings damaged in the Shizuoka disaster risk reduction (Hyogo Framework for area. One road damaged at Tokyo Action on DRR) as well as to reiterate the 12/08/09 6.6 Izu Islands , Japan No reports of damage or casualties commitment of communities at local, national and Region international levels, including governments, 16/08/09 6.6 Kepulauan, Mentawai Five people were injured from a collapsed donors and other stakeholders to achieving the Region, Indonesia escalator in north Padang. Four other people objects outlined in the HFA document. were injured, two from collapsed fences. 17/08 09 6.6 Southwestern No reports of damage or casualties The theme of the International Day for Disaster Ryukyu Islands, Reduction and campaign for 2008-2009 focuses on Japan making Hospitals Safe from Disasters. 28/08/09 6.8 Banda Sea No reports of damage or casualties As in previous years, this year also Nepal is 28/0809 6.2 Northern Qinghai, No reports of damage or casualties celebrating the Disaster Reduction Day with an China objective to seek and underline commitment to Source: USGS enactment of the DM policy by relevant policy QUAKE MONITOR (Nepal) makers in the country and further enabling people to raise their voice and seek adequate policy Date Time (UTC) Magnitude Epicentre measures to address their rights so as to reduce (NST = UTC + 5:45:00.00) (ML) vulnerabilities. Some of the key stakeholders in 2009/05/14 20:13:15.45 4.2 Sankhuwasava DRR in Nepal including DIPECHO partners, AIN, DPNet, NDAC, DiMAAN have decided to join 2009/07/12 13:35:49.65 4.3 Jata Pokhari, Dolakha hands to mark 2009 ISDR Day with series of 2009/08/02 10:04:06.42 4.0 Karman, Rasuwa Page programs during 13-14 Oct 2009. Source: www.seismonepal.gov.np 7 Continues 16th NSET day ... PROFILE energy for water heating and wind energy, back-up power for some equipment, and environment friendly and energy efficient building. Nearly 200 invitees including representatives from government offices, diplomatic Ramesh Guragain missions, Academic institutions, NGOs, INGOs, CBOs, Consulting firms, Funding Agencies, and other many civic Director, EERT Division sectors observed the newly built facilities. National Society for Earthquake Technology Nepal (NSET) This year's program included the unveiling of NSET decade book Safer Society and Annual Report 2008 along with June issue of NSET Newsletter. Group of senior people including NSET President Mr. Shiva B. Pradhanang, Litterateurs Mr. Shanta Das Manandhar and Mr. Dinesh Raj Pant, Journalist Mr. Shreeram Singh Basnet, Mr. Indra Mr. Ramesh Guragain joined NSET in April 2000 as Bahadur Shrestha, Director General, DUDBC, Mr. Vijaya Structural Engineer, then served as Senior Structural Engineer during 2002 -2006; and was promoted to the Singh, Assistant Resident Representative UNDP, Mr. position of Director for Earthquake Engineering, Research Badan Lal Nyachho, Director- Multi Disciplinary and Training (EERT) Division of NSET in Oct 2006. Before Consultants Pvt. Ltd, Mr. Ramesh K. Sharma, Former joining NSET, he was working for TAEC Consult P. Ltd. Chairman Nepal Red Cross, Mr. Prayag Raj Singh Suwal, as Site Engineer for a road construction project. Former Minister and member of school management Mr. Guragain holds Masters Degree in Earthquake committee, Vidyodaya Primary School and Mr. Keshab Engineering from Tokyo University (2006) and Bachelors Man Amatya jointly released the publications. Safer Society Degree in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University is an aperture to peer what NSET aims to pay its efforts (1998). and has been paying since more than a decade to foster As one of the senior technical professionals of NSET, the advancement of science and practice of earthquake Mr. Guragain has led several projects as Team Leader as engineering & technology for mitigating the earthquake well as Resource Person. Some of the significant projects risk and increasing the seismic safety, to enhance that he led are: Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of professionalism, professional engineering and scientific Hospitals in Nepal (2003); Development of Guidelines for ethics and to further the objectives of the International Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Hospitals (2004); Association for Earthquake Engineering as applicable to Program for Strengthening Capacities for Disaster Risk Nepal. Safer Society is published as a composition of NSET Management in Iran (2006-2007); Technical Support for journeys. Safer Society is thus a self-assessment of NSET Thimpu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project in activities or its the way of looking-self-in-mirror so that Bhutan (2007 -2009); Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction forthcoming activities and strategies could be more and Prepare-dness Program in Pakistan (2007-2009); accurately designed towards meeting targeted goals. Comprehensive Disaster Management Program in The program was followed by a Reception Party. Later in Bangladesh (2007-2009) the evening, families of NSET Founders, Board members Besides, Mr. Guragain has served as one of the key members and Staffs also joined the occasion participating in the of NSET Team for the implementation of various projects various entertaining and fun events which concluded with such as Structural Vulnerability Assessment of Hospitals a family dinner program. in Kathmandu Valley in 2001 (WHO/DHS-GoN); Seismic Vulnerability Assessment of Water Supply System of Kathmandu (UNICEF); Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan for Safe Drinking Water in the Kathmandu Valley (UNICEF); Municipal Earthquake Risk Management Program; and School Earthquake Safety Program. Mr. Guragain has also provided his professional input as one of the Resource Persons for Earthquake Resistant Design Training to Engineers in Pakistan under TSERR Project as well as for First, Second and Third Regional Training Course on Earthquake Vulnerability Reduction for Cities organized in Nepal and Bangladesh. He was one of the course developers for Multi-Hazard HOPE course for PEER. As a Director of EERT Division, he is successfully supervising his staff members and giving his technical guidance on earthquake engineering technology, research work as well as building assessment and building retrofit works being carried out by NSET. Mr. Guragain has also represented NSET in various international and national workshops, conferences and seminars. He is a Life Member FOR TIPS ON EARTHQUAKE RISK of NSET and Nepal Engineers Association and Member MITIGATION TUNE IN TO of Nepal Engineering Council. Radio Sagarmatha (FM 102.4) at 7.30 PM, Tuesday Radio Annapurna (FM 91.8) at 7.30 AM, Wednesday Capital FM (FM 92.4) at 8.00 AM, Every Morning FOR MORE INFORMATION ON WATCH Earthquakes and NSETs efforts towards earthquake risk reduction log on to www.nset.org.np Nepal Television every Saturday 8:25 am National Society for Earthquake Technology- "Bhukampa Bisesh" section on Janachaso Program Nepal (NSET) Sainbu V.D.C. Ward No. 4, Bhainsepati Residential Area, Lalitpur P.O.Box: 13775, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977-1) 5591000, Fax: (977-1) 5592692 Page Think about making your home Earthquake-Resistant E-mail: [email protected], Website: www.nset.org.np Attend our House Owners Consultation Program 8 "Every Friday: 2-5pm" www.nset.org.np FRIDAY FREE EARTHQUAKE CLINIC at NSET Office