A thesissubmitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science inDisaster Preparedness, Mitigation and Management, School of Environmet, Resources and Development-School of Engineering and Technology

Thesis (M. Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2016

Emergency response is an important step of disaster management as it helps in normalizing the life of affected population providing basic facilities. In relief operation, coordination plays a vital role for smooth operation and cooperation among stakeholders involved. The main focus of the research is to assess coordination mechanism during relief operation. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used for the study. Both primary and secondary sources of data collection was used such as household survey, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussion in Kathmandu district using purposive sampling. Sitapaila VDC was chosen for household survey and focus group discussion. It was found that there was initial coordination problem among different humanitarian responders mainly GON and its ministries and UN, INGOsandforeign militaries. Although news about preference given to Kathmandu for relief distribution was reportedinpost-disastercondition,from the survey, it was found that there was delay in relief operation. Few policies, strategies and acts are in place regarding disaster management in Nepal. The actual implementation is lacking which was clearly observed in Gorkha earthquake causingdelay in coordination, rescue and relief operation. The result of the research indicated unstable and weak governance, lack of local government staffs, ambiguity in authority and revision of plans and policies after the disaster to cause delay in proper coordination and relief efforts