Construction Industry to Enhance Disaster Resiliency

A half-day workshop on ‘Need for Disaster Preparedness in Construction Industry’ was organized today (23 August 2013 at Hotel Annapurna, Kathmandu with a view to bring the Construction Industry in disaster risk reduction process and raise disaster risk awareness in this sector by implementing various collaborative works together. The workshop was jointly organized by Federation of Contractors' Associations of Nepal (FCAN) and National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) with the support from USAID/OFDA and DOOSAN Infracore Inc.

Speaking on the opening session of the half-day workshop on "Need of Disaster Preparedness in Construction Industry", Mr. A. D. Lama, Deputy Secretary General of Federation of Contractors' Association of Nepal (FCAN) in his welcome address appreciated the initiation taken by NSET for its active involvement towards disaster risk reduction of private sector especially the Construction Industry and also briefed that FCAN would extend its cooperation in every aspects of DRR and would like to work with Nepal government, NSET and all concerned association on various DRR activities. He also mentioned that FCAN is happy to hold this first initiation of partnership through a half-day workshop with the participation of FCAN members from all five regions of Nepal.

The workshop was attended by more than 100 participants from Construction Industry sector and actively participated and brainstormed on this theme.

Mr. Amod Mani Dixit, Executive Director of NSET highlighted the role of private sector in earthquake risk management, and the need for the private sector to make their family and their business safer through the development and implementation of Business Continuity Plan. He pointed out the importance of the Construction Industry and its contribution to the national economy, and that is the reason why this industry should be safe against disaster. He hoped to be working with the sector in the days to come so that the Construction Industry is well prepared and that all stakeholders in construction business continue uninterrupted even after a large earthquake in Nepal. He emphasized the significance of "Promoting Public Private Partnership for Earthquake Risk Management (3PERM)" program supported by USAID/OFDA and being implemented by NSET in bringing the level of commitments and potential resources and leadership of private sector including the Construction Industry to consider Earthquake/Disaster Risk Management as one of the priority areas for mainstreaming into the development process.

The Chief Guest of the program, Mr. Kishore Thapa, Secretary of Ministry of Urban Development thanked the organizers for inviting him to the workshop and appreciated the involvement of private sector to work on collaborative approach to mitigate the adverse impacts of potential threat of earthquake and other disasters. He highlighted that Construction Industry is one of the significant sectors of the country to contribute to the national economy through small to huge construction works for national development. He emphasized that private sector's involvement is very much necessary in disaster risk reduction and FCAN will have greater role even after a big earthquake or other disasters in terms of debris management, re-cycling the debris and reconstruction works.

The Chairperson of the program, Mr. Jaya Ram Lamichhane, President of FCAN expressed his pleasure to bring all Construction Industry Stakeholders to come together to work towards DRR activities.  He mentioned that a big disaster may bring an unimaginable and a very unpleasant situation affecting every sector of the country and people in general. He emphasized the need of collaboration among all stakeholders to make disaster resilient community and it's the right time to move forward will all possible areas of work towards DRR.  He told that FCAN is ready to join hands with Government and all stakeholders to make construction industry disaster resilience.  He mentioned that FCAN is very happy to be part of this initiation and look forward to working with concerned stakeholders on DRR activities on partnership approach.
Mr. Birendra Raj Pandey, Coordinator, International Coordination Committee of FCAN made presentation on FCAN activities in Nepal, earthquake hazard perception of the members and how to identify possible ways forward to work together on DRR perspective.

NSET Deputy Executive Director Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha presented briefly on risk of earthquake and need for preparedness, and Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Program Manager of 3PERM highlighted on the need of disaster recovery and business continuity plans for every private sector businesses as well as the role of construction business sector for debris management in case of a big earthquake in Nepal.

SWOT analysis exercise was done to find the ways to move forward, and Mr. Surya Narayan Shrestha briefly highlighted the outcome of SWOT analysis.

Mr. Santosh Gyawali, DRR Specialist of USAID/Nepal made his closing remarks and highlighted the USAID's role in DRR in Nepal and also appreciated NSET for its continuous efforts in earthquake risk management.  He also emphasized that FCAN as united single forum that can make a difference in the lives of many and save us from a catastrophic earthquake. Mr. Shiva Bahadur Pradhanang, President of NSET, in his closing remarks expressed his happiness for FCAN's initiation to come forward and making commitment to work together towards earthquake risk reduction. He told that FCAN and NSET along with other professional societies can work together on various DRR issues with the support from the Government.  Mr. Sharad Kumar Gauchan, Secretary General of FCAN thanked all the organizers for holding such a significant and very important workshop and opening avenues to bring the private sector stakeholders in disaster risk reduction process. He told that FCAN is committed and ready to collaborate on any possible areas of partnership to raise awareness on disaster risk and mitigate the risk as well. 

Discourse has been thus commenced to enhance the disaster resiliency of Nepal's Construction Industry sector. Construction Industry through its Federation of Contractors' Associations are involved to reduce dependence on foreign contractors and to make available mechanical and heavy construction equipment, skills and necessary technology to the national contractors to develop infrastructure for the development of self-reliant construction industry in Nepal. From the disaster risk management perspectives, private sector entities have two-fold role in building resilience in their businesses and contributing as a part of corporate social responsibility in enhancing community resilience.
Government of Nepal seems to engage in the process of making private sector disaster resilient through necessary instruments.

 Gallery

Media Room

NSET Publications

Gallery