Nepal is a country of natural beauty but one that is vulnerable to a host of natural and artificial disasters. Lying in one of the world's most disaster-prone regions, Nepal is constantly threatened by earthquakes, floods, and landslides, with the growing impacts of climate change. These factors put Nepal high on the INFORM Disaster Risk Index, which calls for comprehensive crisis management.
Despite this, the country still needs institutional preparedness and a disaster-sensitive culture at the community and individual levels. This situation is worsened by the near absence of a disaster insurance system and skilled professionals who can deal with crises in organizations and businesses. These realities highlight the dire need for professionally trained disaster management experts to lead the country through unpredictable crises and reduce the devastating impact of such situations.
Why Study Crisis Management?
- Vulnerability and Preparedness: Geographically, Nepal lies in a zone of multiple hazards, from earthquakes to landslides and floods. A crisis can occur anytime, and only effective disaster management strategies can minimize the loss of life, infrastructure, and economy. By studying crisis management, professionals can actively contribute to creating resilient communities better equipped to respond to and recover from disasters.
- Addressing Institutional Gaps: Nepal needs more institutional preparedness at the government and community levels. The frequency and intensity of disasters induced by climate change require skilled crisis managers who can bridge this gap by implementing disaster-sensitive policies, strengthening preparedness programs, and making institutions capable of withstanding crises.
- Disaster-Sensitive Culture Building: Nepal's long-term sustainability of disaster preparedness and response depends on building a culture for it. Crisis management professionals should nurture this attitude among the community, individuals, and businesses. This is necessary for the future because anticipation and risk-taking by people are two very vital proactive measures against danger.
- Scope for Employment: Crisis management is broad and does not solely cover government jobs or non-profit work. The sectors include private enterprises, humanitarian organizations, health and logistics sectors, and education. Emergency response planning, business continuity, crisis communication, and professional expertise are highly needed for this field in post-disaster operations and recovery. As Nepal is still in the stride of economic growth, businesses will increasingly look for the services of a crisis manager to mitigate the risks of natural disasters and other crises that may disrupt their operations.
- Growing International Demand: Besides the opportunities opening domestically, this field also offers scope internationally. With the different challenges related to climate change, pandemics, and security threats going on around the world, the services of crisis management experts are in demand worldwide. This opens an avenue for Nepalese graduates to work in international organizations, NGOs, and multinational companies in disaster preparedness and humanitarian assistance.
Where to Study Crisis Management in Nepal?
Samarpan Academy's Institute of Crisis Management Studies at Dhumbarahi, Kathmandu, offers an excellent opportunity for those who want to build a career in this vital field. Affiliated with Tribhuvan University, the ICMS runs the only Master's degree in Crisis Management Studies in Nepal. This two-year program will equip students with theoretical knowledge and practical skills to respond effectively to disasters and crises.
What makes the ICMS program unique is the blend of teaching methodologies from different management, sociology, psychology, and environmental science fields. The course content covers everything from disaster preparedness and risk assessment to post-disaster recovery and humanitarian assistance.
Who Should Apply?
It is ideal for a wide range of participants, including:
- Professionals already working in disaster or crisis management who want to deepen their expertise.
- The personnel retired or in service in security-related fields like the army or police who are interested in being posted to civilian disaster management positions.
- Government employees are willing to upgrade their skills to be more involved in national disaster preparedness and response.
- Fresh graduates from any discipline interested in pursuing a career in disaster risk reduction, humanitarian assistance, and crisis management.
In such a program, students study with experts in their leading fields, have on-the-job internships, and conduct research that improves disaster preparedness nationally in Nepal. Graduated ICMS have worked with government agencies, international organizations, and NGOs, influencing disaster resilience to improve Nepal and beyond.
Final Thoughts
While academic curiosity is a common motivator, crisis management can become a career opening, a way of intervening in times of disaster and changing the course of an unfavorable situation. And with highly vulnerable Nepal experiencing gaps in preparedness and management at all levels, there lies an urgent need for well-capable crisis managers. Whether starting a career or being an established professional in this field, the Institute of Crisis Management Studies at Samarpan Academy is the right platform to start or further one's career in this vital sector.
