Review of the Nine Minimum Characteristics of a Disaster Resilient Community in Nepal: Research Report

Abstract

In 2016 Durham University and the Foundation for Development Management were tasked with reviewing the impact of the Government of Nepal’s 9 Minimum Characteristics of a Disaster Resilient Community. The research set out to determine if community-based disaster risk reduction (CBDRR) interventions based on the 9 Minimum Characteristics of a Disaster Resilient Community left communities in a stronger position to protect themselves from, and to recover after, a disaster event such as a flood or earthquake. A qualitative research approach was developed to capture both the views of householders at the community-level across 24 case study areas, local government representatives and project implementing partners. The research findings highlight the importance of having a flexible framework that can be adapted for use in different geographical and hazard contexts to support communities to identify their own needs, the support they require to make their community more resilient, and the most appropriate means of realising that support. This research study was funded by the UK Department for International Development’s South Asia Research Hub, and the UK Natural Environment and Economic and Social Research Councils