ReCAP - Regional Climate Action Partnership in the Hindu Kush Himalayas


The Hindu Kush Himalayas are highly vulnerable to climate disasters. Multi-hazard risk models and early warning systems are pivotal for de-risking public and private investments and protection of communities. In the first project phase, Switzerland provides technical assistance to the Government of Nepal, local private companies and academia to build required institutional capacities in close collaboration with the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank.

Pays/région Thème Période Budget
Népal
Changement climatique & environnement
Governance
nothemedefined
Réduction des risques de catastrophes
Politique de l’environnement
Politique du secteur publique
01.07.2023 - 15.07.2028
CHF  5’955’000
Contexte The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is highly vulnerable to climate-induced disaster. The number of events is increasing, pushing up economic losses and the number of people killed or displaced by such events. In addition, the HKH is one of the most earthquake prone regions globally. While some monitoring equipment and early warning systems are in place to alert downstream communities, a lack of cross-border information sharing among the Himalayan nations is hampering protection efforts. In Nepal, the ongoing federalization of disaster governance after the promulgation of the Constitution in 2015 poses additional challenges to effective disaster management. In 2021, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) reached out to SDC Nepal, aiming to bring Swiss expertise on disaster modelling and de-risking into ADB operations and the region. Through this project, SDC will leverage Swiss expertise and knowledge built over decades of disaster risk management in mountainous regions, strengthening the capacities of government counterparts at all levels, the ADB and the World Bank (WB) – with a strong involvement of local academia and private service providers – at a crucial point of time. ADB and WB are investing into major hydropower infrastructure in Nepal, creating an immediate and strong demand from the GoN and the development banks for timely de-risking of their investments.
Objectifs The Government of Nepal prioritizes climate resilience in public investments reducing the social and economic impact of disasters.
Groupes cibles The direct target group of this project are national and sub-national government counterparts, local academia and relevant private service providers, benefitting from capacity building and knowledge sharing. The ultimate target group are local communities, including discriminated groups.
Effets à moyen terme

Outcome 1: The three spheres of government identify and consider climate and multi hazard risk areas in government plans and policies.

Outcome 2: The three spheres of government collaborate to set up a multi hazard early warning approach in selected river basins.

Outcome 3: Relevant public, private and academic institutions in Nepal use multi hazard risk assessments and operate early warning systems in priority river basins.

Résultats

Principaux résultats attendus:  

For Outcome 1:

  • Dynamic and interactive multi hazard (MH) risk assessment model developed at national level and for two selected river basins
  • Policies, government plans and engineering standards updated based on MH risk assessment

For Outcome 2:

  • NDRRMA agrees to a model institutional set-up for a river basin level early warning system (EWS)
  • A detailed plan for an EWS in 2 selected river basins (Dudhkoshi and Upper Arun) is endorsed by the government

For Outcome 3:

  • Nepalese students enrol in PhD studies related to MH risk assessment or EWS
  • Relevant private service providers have the capacity to use MH risk assessments and operate EWS
  • Government officials at federal, provincial and local level in relevant government agencies have the capacity to use risk modelling for informed policy making and operate EWS
  • Media organisations contribute to increased awareness of the use of MH risk assessments and EWS reducing socio economic impacts of disaster caused by natural hazards


Direction/office fédéral responsable DDC
Crédit Coopération au développement
Partenaire de projet Partenaire contractuel
Institution financière internationale (IFI)
Secteur privé
  • Other Development Banks
  • Secteur privé étranger Nord
  • Sectreur privé étranger Sud/Est
  • Secteur privé suisse
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB): Contribution to the ADB Building Adaptation and Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalayas initiative; Consortium of Swiss technical partners, partnering with local partners: selected through an invitation procedure; Media partners: Contribution/backstopping support


Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs

Synergies with SDC projects: Indian Strengthening State Strategies for Climate Action; Strengthening Climate Change Adaptation in Himalayas; Climate Change Adaptation in Mountains; Adaptation at Altitude.

Coordination and synergies with donors and UN: ADB, WB, UNDP.

Budget Phase en cours Budget de la Suisse CHF    5’955’000 Budget suisse déjà attribué CHF    1’857’516 Projet total depuis la première phase Budget de la Suisse CHF   75’000 Budget y compris partenaires de projet CHF   9’000’000
Phases du projet Phase 1 01.07.2023 - 15.07.2028   (Phase en cours)