Nepal has long been recognized as one of the most disaster-prone countries in South Asia, with over 80% of its population at risk from various natural hazards such as floods, landslides, windstorms, hailstorms, fires, and earthquakes. Despite the presence of progressive policies, plans, and institutions dedicated to disaster management, coordinated disaster response efforts remain insufficient.
In response to this critical need, a team of professionals has initiated the establishment of a dedicated institution aimed at providing comprehensive disaster risk management services through simulation exercises. This institution will cater to a diverse range of stakeholders, including communities, the federal government, public and private enterprises, development partners, civil society, and academia. Our approach is unique in that it emphasizes the assessment and capacity building of both institutions and individual members through simulation exercises. Among these, simulation exercises regarded as the most effective tool for testing policies and protocols while capacitating involved personnel and community people.
With this vision, SIMEX aims to institutionalize the scope of simulation exercises and standardize their application in coordination and collaboration with various concerned agencies. Nepal’s selection as one of the 30 pilot countries for the Early Warning for All (EW4A) global initiative underscores the urgency of a massive, concerted effort to educate, capacitate, and advocate on this issue. It is imperative to make policy makers aware that investing in preparedness, response capacity building, and early warning systems yields a tenfold return.
The SIMEX Hub is established to bridge knowledge and capacity gaps, working in the partnership with governments, development partners, the private sector, and communities. Our team comprises highly experienced professionals with over two decades of experiences in the Nepal Army, UN organizations, and humanitarian agencies, conducting simulation exercises to enhance response capacity and disaster risk management at local, national, and international levels. Nevertheless, SIMEX Hub will remain an open forum, welcoming like-minded professionals to extend their expert services.
