Post-conflict disaster governance in Nepal: one-door policy, multiple-window practice

Area of Science:

• Disaster response
• Humanitarian aid
• Post-conflict studies

Background:

• The 2015 Nepal earthquakes highlighted tensions between humanitarian aid and state-building in post-conflict environments.
• Fragile state realities in Nepal complicated the state-led disaster response, necessitating significant involvement from aid organizations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the complex interplay between humanitarian imperatives and state-building agendas in Nepal's earthquake response.
• To understand how Nepal's post-conflict political landscape influenced the disaster response and operational strategies of various actors.

Main Methods:

• Empirical research conducted over four months in Nepal.
• Analysis of actor strategies in response to state-led disaster management.

Main Results:

• Disaster response actors in Nepal adopted varied approaches, including creative compliance and bypassing official channels.
• The study reveals a complex nexus between post-conflict dynamics and post-disaster response in a state-led framework.

Conclusions:

• Nepal's earthquake response demonstrated the challenges of integrating humanitarian aid with state-building in fragile states.
• Understanding the post-conflict and post-disaster nexus is crucial for effective disaster management in similar contexts.