Question

Explain 3 reasons why covid 19 pandemic is regarded as a national disaster in terms of disaster management act

Answer 1

Answer:

The COVID crisis affecting the world today requires a level of response that goes beyond the capacity of any country. As the UN Secretary-General said: “More than ever before, we need solidarity, hope and the political will and cooperation to see this crisis through together”. The Government of Nepal is putting in place a series of measures to address the situation, but more needs to be done, and the international solidarity is required to ensure that the country is fully prepared to face the pandemic and address its impact in all sectors.

The Nepal Preparedness and Response Plan (NPRP) lays out the preparedness actions and key response activities to be undertaken in Nepal, based on the trends and developments of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The plan outlines two levels of interventions; one that is the preparedness that should take place at the earliest possible and that constitutes an investment in Nepal’s health systems that will in any  case benefit the people of Nepal, regardless of the extent of the COVID-19 pandemic in the territory. The second level is the effective response, across sectors, to an estimated caseload of 1500 infected people and 150,000 collaterally affected people. This can then be scaled up in case there is a vast increase in number of infected and affected people, beyond the original scenario of 1500 patients.

Nepal is also vulnerable to natural disasters, including seasonal floods and landslides. There is a risk that the country could be faced with two emergencies at the same time. The Government of Nepal and the

Humanitarian community which supports it, need to be prepared for this very real possibility. The suggested interventions to increase the quality and capacity of the health services in preparation for the COVID crisis will have a direct impact on the country capability to respond to the next floods and other disasters, and to protect the most vulnerable from the devastating secondary impacts of the outbreak.

Explanation: