9. The role of Civil Engineers in disaster preparedness

Question 1

What does DFID stand for and what does it do?

Answer 1

Department for International Development

DFID works to deliver improved infrastructure
service provision through multiple partners
and in multiple countries

Question 2

What are the 7 DFID aims?

Answer 2

1) Delivering community infrastructure - e.g. health posts, school, local paths
2) Providing technical expertise to national governments or projects
3) Encouraging private finance in infrastructure projects
4) Regional public goods and infrastructure associated with trade
5) Influencing key international actors through international groups (G20), business, and other governments
6) Innovation and research into new technologies
7) Humanitarian response - particularly shelter, and water supply and sanitation

Question 3

Engineering challenges in Nepal

Answer 3

Nepal is a multi-hazard context - floods, earthquakes, landslides and storms

Question 4

Nepal has a high vulnerability to what and which type of event?

Answer 4

Climate change and Kathmandu is the world’s most at risk city to an earthquake

Question 5

Why is Kathmandu so vulnerable to earthquakes?

Answer 5

• Unplanned development (physical constraints, construction practices and awareness)
• Enforcing the building code (requires increased resources)
• Complex legislative framework (different responsibilities in different parts of government

Question 6

Activities Nepal can take toward safer buildings construction (6)

Answer 6

1) Development of building code
2) Training (engineers & masons)
3) Technical support
4) Awareness raising, media engagement
5) Private sector management
6) E-permit system

Question 7

What is it important to consider when working on overseas projects?

Answer 7

Different cultural dynamics