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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.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Nepal
Climate change and environment
Governance
nothemedefined
Disaster risk reduction DRR
Environmental policy
Public sector policy
01.07.2023 - 15.07.2028
 CHF  5’955’000
The project in brief
Background 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.
Objectives The Government of Nepal prioritizes climate resilience in public investments reducing the social and economic impact of disasters.
Target groups 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.
Medium-term outcomes

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.
Results

Expected results:  

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
Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Development cooperation
Project partners Contract partner
International Financial Institution (IFI)
Private sector
  • Other Development Banks
  • Foreign private sector North
  • Foreign private sector South/East
  • Swiss Private Sector
  • 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 with other projects and actors

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 Current phase Swiss budget CHF    5’955’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    44’454 Budget inclusive project partner CHF    15’030’000 Total project since first phase Swiss budget CHF   75’000 Budget inclusive project partner CHF   9’000’000
Project phases Phase 1 01.07.2023 - 15.07.2028   (Current phase)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation DISASTER PREVENTION AND PREPAREDNESS
    GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
    GOVERNMENT AND CIVIL SOCIETY
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Disaster prevention and preparedness
    Environmental policy and administrative management
    Public sector policy and administrative management
    Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
    Project and programme contribution
    Project number

    7F10005

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Last update 27.11.2017