Earthquake Awareness Programs as a Key for Earthquake Preparedness and Risk Reduction: Lessons from Nepal

Nepal is a highly seismic country having a long history of destructive earthquakes. Huge loss of life and property had occurred in series of earthquakes in the past and it is believed that next big earthquake is around the corner. Studies have estimated a heavy loss of life and property due to the possible future earthquake in the country. The impact of destructive earthquakes can only be reduced through coordinated efforts among all stakeholders and individuals for effective awareness and preparedness. Realizing this fact, National Society for Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET) has been conducting earthquake preparedness awareness programs in massive scale focusing different level of stakeholders and individuals in the country. This paper presents the experiences on such activities carried out by NSET in Nepal, which will work as the guiding efforts for the similar countries in the world.