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The Anticipatory Action Clinic: a strategic breakthrough for disaster risk management in Nepal
Nepal is transitioning from reactive disaster management to anticipatory action – a more proactive and forward-thinking approach. A significant milestone in this shift is the establishment of the Anticipatory Action Clinic, known as the AA Clinic, which is an institutional and technical hub for advancing this approach across the country. Launched in October 2024, it recently hosted a kick-off meeting as Nepal begins to formulate a national anticipatory action framework and accompanying roadmap for 2025 to 2027.
The role of the Anticipatory Action Clinic
The government of Nepal is integrating anticipatory action into its laws, policies and operations for disaster management. At the same time, a growing number of agencies are working on projects and programmes related to this approach. The AA Clinic plays a crucial role in ensuring that these efforts are aligned under a unified framework, with the government setting the strategic direction. It has several functions:
- Develop a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap. It is playing a pivotal role in formulating Nepal’s national framework, which will be the foundation of efforts to institutionalize anticipatory action.
- Coordination and collaboration. It acts as the central coordinating body for ensuring that anticipatory action systems are aligned, well resourced and efficiently executed. This includes facilitating collaboration between government agencies at different tiers, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and international NGOs, United Nations agencies and the private sector.
- Institutional capacity building. It will strengthen the technical and operational capacity of institutions working in disaster preparedness and response, giving them the skills and knowledge to incorporate anticipatory action into their work. This will include training and capacity-building programmes for government officials, NGOs, and local and community-based organizations.
- Promote knowledge exchange and learning. By regularly engaging with Nepal’s main stakeholders working on anticipatory action, the AA Clinic will facilitate the sharing of experiences and lessons. This includes hosting community of practice meetings every two months, as well as organizing workshops and dialogue events. It also represents Nepal at international forums and conferences.
Kick-starting the development of a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap
On 28 January 2025, the AA Clinic hosted the kick-off meeting for the national anticipatory action framework and roadmap. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has established a task team to oversee the process, comprising members from nine different ministries and government departments. During the first official meeting, the team held initial discussions on how to shape this national-level strategy.
The task team meeting to formulate a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap.
The task team meeting to formulate a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap.
The task team meeting to formulate a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap.
The task team meeting to formulate a national anticipatory action framework and roadmap.
Previous activities include a regional learning event on 20 December 2024, held together with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES), at which practitioners from Bangladesh shared lessons and best practices from their country. And on 15 November, the clinic hosted a training session on anticipatory action for the Humanity & Inclusion (HI) team in Nepal.
Rajendra Sharma, NDRRMA, shares current initiatives on anticipatory action with the HI Nepal team.
Madhab Uprety, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, leads the technical session during the training event with the HI Nepal team.
Reena Bajracharya, who is coordinating the AA Clinic, presents an overview of anticipatory action initiatives in Nepal.
The regional learning event, held with practitioners from Bangladesh and Nepal.
Rajendra Sharma, NDRRMA, shares current initiatives on anticipatory action with the HI Nepal team.
Madhab Uprety, Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, leads the technical session during the training event with the HI Nepal team.
Reena Bajracharya, who is coordinating the AA Clinic, presents an overview of anticipatory action initiatives in Nepal.
The regional learning event, held with practitioners from Bangladesh and Nepal.
Priorities for the future
Alongside its role in developing the national framework and roadmap, the AA Clinic will work to expand and institutionalize anticipatory action at the provincial and municipal levels. This will help to ensure that local systems for disaster risk management are able to implement timely and effective actions in advance of a hazard striking. It will also continue to collaborate with government agencies, humanitarian organizations and other stakeholders to drive Nepal’s anticipatory action agenda forward and strengthen the country’s resilience ahead of disasters.
The AA Clinic is housed within the NDRRMA, under the Ministry of Home Affairs. Its establishment was spearheaded by NDRRMA in collaboration with the Nepal Red Cross Society, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Danish Red Cross, with funding from the UK's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and the British Red Cross, and in partnership with the Risk-informed Early Action Partnership.
This article was written by Reena Bajracharya, NDRRMA (seconded from the Danish Red Cross), and Rajendra Sharma, NDRRMA. Reena is also a member of the Future Leaders Network on Early Warning Early Action.