Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project (KVERMP) PROJECT COMPONENTS Background Earthquake Scenario and Action Plan School Earthquake Safety Education, Training, and Institution Building Earthquake Education Programs Raise Public Awareness, Earthquake Safety Day Fund Raising/Leveraging Education, Training, and Institution Building The National Society of Earthquake Technology of Nepal (NSET) The focus of our institution-building activities will be the NSET, because of all local institutions we are aware of it is in the best position to carry on the work started in this project. Attendance at International Conferences This project will fund the attendance of Nepalese earthquake specialists, selected by NSET, in international meetings to discuss Kathmandu Valley's earthquake risk. Attending such meetings will not only inform people outside Kathmandu about the valley's needs, but also expose Nepalese to methods of earthquake risk management being developed elsewhere. This project has budgeted for the attendance of one Nepalese at three international meetings during the 18 month duration of the project. Visit to Similar Societies Abroad This project will fund a trip by the president of NSET to visit organizations similar to NSET, but more mature, in other countries. Currently, we are considering that the most valuable trip would include a visit to the California Seismic Safety Commission (in Sacramento, California) and the California Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (also, Sacramento). These organizations usually meet monthly. We would attempt to schedule a visit at a time when the Seismic Safety Commission is conducting business related to activities NSET may eventually be interested in, for example, the Commission's annual review of California's Seismic Safety Program. The Commission has a permanent staff of about a dozen people, and we would also schedule a visit to its offices. If possible, we would try to schedule a trip that would allow NSET's president to attend some large international earthquake-related conference conveniently reached en route to Sacramento. Adoption and Promotion of Action Agenda While it may appear as merely administrative business, the adoption of an Action Agenda by NSET will, in our opinion, be a major step in establishing NSET's role as the primary agent in Nepal to promote seismic safety. NSET has government representatives on its Executive Committee, yet it is an independent non-profit organization. As such, it is in an ideal position to offer objective opinions about the state of earthquake safety programs in Nepal. According to our workplan, NSET will review the Action Plan coming from the workshop and adopt those elements it feels are balanced, responsible and achievable. When NSET conducts its annual review of the Action Plan, it will assess the causes of sub-standard progress and write a report that will be available to the public. We expect that, in this way, NSET will become a respected promoter of seismic safety in Nepal. Facilities and Staff Development Another means that this progress will build the NSET institution is by procuring equipment and, for the length of the project, office space and staff. If the project is as successful as we anticipate, NSET will be successful in funding proposals to maintain its offices after the completion of this project. Municipalities Disaster Management Offices The Municipality of Kathmandu City has indicated a desire to establish an office of Disaster Management. It has funding to create this office, but needs advice on how this office should be organized and staffed. This project will provide that advice, by sending an experienced emergency response official from the US to consult for one week. Representatives of the other two municipalities in the Kathmandu Valley will be invited to attend the training provided to Kathmandu City, in the hopes that these cities may also see the need to create such offices. On his last day, the foreign consultant will give a lecture concerning Disaster Management to 100 invited guests. He will write a report, summarizing his advice. Status of the Component (as of Febraury 2000) Provided assistance to the Disaster Management Unit of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (DMUKMC) by providing a consultant Contributed in the planning of training needs of DMUKMC Assist Ward 10 of Lalitpur Submunicipality, and Ward Nos. 34 &2 0 of Kathmandu Municipality in Earthquake Education and Awareness Programs Conducted business planning workshop, Preparation of a Business Plan (to be completed soon)