Resiliency of Public Services in Social Sectors

Kenichi Yokoyama, ADB Country Director, Nepal

Structure of the presentation

Multi-dimensional approach to social services (relief, recovery, reconstruction)

1. Definition2. Relief & recovery phase3. Reconstruction phase:

Spotlight on schools4. Closing thoughts

‘Public services’ for social sector: post-disaster contextSectors

Main government rolesService provider

Regulator (compliance, enabling environment)

Relief/Recovery / Resilience (access to finance; subsidies; targeted programs for vulnerable)

Social A Public schools; health posts, other services

X X X

Social B Housing, private schools, hospitals

X X

How is resiliency defined?

Ability to buffer shocks, continue services

bounce back quickly

Sector resilience AND community resilience

2-pronged approach 1. Engineering - ‘hardware’; systems thinking2. People & Institutions – ‘software’, policies,

functions, processes, capacity, communities

Public services: rescue & reliefCritical to have 24/7 central disaster operations

Plan, provide, monitor, coordinate rescue & reliefEssential services for all affected: Shelter, medical, education, water,

food, etc.Strong coordination, strategic partnerships Operations at different levels (center, district, VDC)

Public services: recoveryCritical to have a Transition plan

Continue services until reconstruction is completeRole of sector agencies Special focus on most vulnerableEnsure safety

Critical Need for Contingency Planning for Rescue, Relief and Early Recovery Phases

Reconstruction: focus on schools

• ADB/JICA/GON project - $200 million - Government & Education in Emergency Cluster

commitment for temporary & transitional schools- ADB $3 m grant to PM’s fund transferred to MOE

for recovery phase

• Platform for co-financing reconstruction

Build on the experience of retrofitting 160 schools under MOE–Australia–ADB Partnership

Schools – Greater Engineering ResilienceProfessional demolition (recovery to reconstruction)

Proper clearing of sitesInvolving community for debris removal

Multi-hazard risk reduction Seismic designsEnsuring safe site (landslide risks, soil bearing capacity, elevated structure in flood prone areas)

Stronger construction & engineering specifications National standards/type designsRetrofitting

Quality assuranceDedicated team for technical audit

Schools–People & Institutions Resilience (1)Technical Backstopping and Regulatory Functions

Supporting national building code update (DUDBC)Private school safety regulations: Building examination, licensing, and enforcement

Trained Human ResourcesGovt engineers skills strengthened for seismic engineeringTeachers trained to adapt while education targets still metMasons trained (complementary project)

Better prepared communitiesSchool management committees trained in disaster responseCurricula revised for mid level – university to include lessons on climate change risks (complementary project)

Schools – People & Institutions Resilience (2)Community level, education planning

School consolidation & relocation Consultative process for planning & implementation

Serve most vulnerable populationsReach remote & disadvantaged communitiesEnsure education continued for all children

Schools – People & Institutions Resilience (3)Multi-sector integration

Schools with WASH facilities, solar panels, road access, ICT, etc..Dual function as emergency shelters

Strategic investment planning Maximize benefits through strategic planningNationwide replication following updated National Master Plan in School Sector Reform Program (SSRP) II

Closing thoughts

• Government has a leading role to play in provider of public services, and as regulator and enabler for public safety and economic recovery

• Opportunity must be taken to strengthen resilience holistically – engineering, people, institutions

• We have an opportunity to build the platform now for greater future resilience and a stronger Nepal

Thank you