Executive Summary
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WHO Nepal/Sujan Govinda Amatya
A Female Community Health Volunteer practices cardiopulmonary resuscitation under the supervision of a trainer during a Community First Health Responders training session held in Karnali Province, Nepal, in November 2025
A Female Community Health Volunteer practices cardiopulmonary resuscitation under the supervision of a trainer during a Community First Health Responders training session held in Karnali Province, Nepal, in November 2025
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Credits
Nepal is highly exposed to natural hazards and disease outbreaks, placing sustained pressure on its health system. To address the persistent preparedness and response gaps at provincial, local, and health‑facility levels, the Ministry of Health and Food Safety (MoHFS) had established a Health Emergency Operation Center (HEOC) network, which functions as the central nervous system for health crises- commanding resources, managing real time data, and aligning emergency responses with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA).
However, recent assessments and reviews underscore the need to further operationalize governance structures, strengthen hospital and pre‑hospital readiness, and improve information flow across all tiers of government.
BRIDGE shifts the focus from planning and guidance to effective implementation. Building on lessons learned and past EU‑supported actions, this initiative seeks to strengthen disaster governance and health emergency preparedness by empowering HEOC and PHEOC coordination networks, enhancing hub and satellite hospital capacity, and improving life‑saving services at the community and pre‑hospital levels.
Principal Objective
To bridge institutional and community capacities for resilient and inclusive health sector disaster governance through strengthened preparedness and response readiness across federal, provincial and local levels.
Specific Objectives
To establish and sustain interoperable health sector preparedness and coordination systems
To build resilient emergency care system capable of effective mass casualty management
Key areas of innovation
System Coordination:
Institutionalizing interoperable coordination mechanisms and strengthening emergency logistics
Surge and Casualty Management:
Strengthening mass‑casualty management and scaling surge capacity through Emergency Medical Teams (EMT)
Locally Owned Resilience:
Upgrading hub and satellite hospital capacities while reinforcing inclusive, locally owned preparedness plans.
Collectively, these interventions are expected to reduce the humanitarian impact of disasters in Nepal by improving the timeliness, coherence, and effectiveness of health sector preparedness and response. Strengthened coordination, operational readiness, and continuity of essential health services will help mitigate health risks during future shocks, particularly for vulnerable population. By contributing to faster access to emergency care, improving referral and response pathways, and promoting inclusive preparedness at the local level, the project overall to limit avoidable suffering and prevent the escalation of humanitarian needs during crises.
Project Details
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Project focal points
Dr Allison Gocotano
Team Leader
WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Email: gocotanoa@who.intDr Subash Neupane
Partnerships and External Relationships Support Officer (PERSO)
WHO Health Emergencies Programme
Email: neupanesub@who.int