'Earthquake Vulnerability and Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment' workshop kicks off

In a bid to build the capacity of national institutions in utilizing geospatial tools for the multi-hazard risk assessment, mapping and raising the awareness of such tools for disaster preparedness and mitigation, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) regional training on “Earthquake Vulnerability and Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment” kicked off in the capital on Monday.

Addressing the participants, Dr. J. Gabriel, Direct General of ICIMOD said that the workshop would help in mutual learning on the earthquake and natural disaster mitigation. He also stressed that if the next natural 'event' would occur in the Himalayan regions, it should be protected from being disastrous recalling that the earthquake erupted in Pakistan in 2005 was a big wake of call for the Himalayan regions. 

On the occasion, Shiva Bahadur Pradhananga, Chairman of National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET-N), Professor Jeebraj Pokhrel of Nepal Center for Disaster Management (NCDM), Basanta Shrestha of MENRIS/ICIMOD spoke on the significance of the program.

The press release issued by ICIMOD said that the objective of the training is to build the capacity of national institutions in utilizing geospatial tools such as GIS, RS and GPS for multi hazard risk assessment and mapping as well as to raise the awareness of the tools for disaster preparedness and mitigation.

"Worldwide, the South Asia region, which is among the protest and most populated in the world, is also the hardest hit by natural disasters. Some 90 percent of all natural disasters are climate related and about 70 percent are related to floods. Expanding urbanization, increasing settlement in high risk environments and growing poverty increase these risks" the press release read.

In the workshops, 7 individuals from Bangladesh, 15 from Nepal, 4/4 Pakistan and India are participating. All participants are the mid level professionals from the governmental and non governmental organizations working in disaster management.

The training/ workshop is supported by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Department (DIPECHO).