Natural Disasters and Communicable Diseases in Nepal: Risk, Response, and Resilience

Authors

  • Bhoj Raj Adhikari Department of Humanities and Social Science, Pokhara University, Pokhara, Nepal Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.64229/9tcppr16

Keywords:

Natural Disasters, Communicable Diseases, Public Health, Population Displacement, Disaster Preparedness, Health Infrastructure

Abstract

Natural disasters severely impact human health, especially in developing countries like Nepal. A major challenge after such events is the outbreak of communicable diseases. This paper examines the link between natural disasters and the spread of communicable diseases in Nepal, highlighting causes, effects, and prevention strategies. It uses secondary literature and field experiences to evaluate how poor sanitation, displacement, inadequate infrastructure, and unpreparedness worsen disease outbreaks after disasters. The study also stresses policy responses, institutional roles, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach to reduce health risks through preparedness and post-disaster actions.

References

[1]World Health Organization (WHO). *Communicable Disease Risk Assessment and Interventions after Natural Disasters*. WHO Press, 2021. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/communicable-disease-risks-post-disasters.

[2]Sphere Project. *Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response*. Geneva: Sphere Association, 2004.

[3]Watson, J., et al. *Epidemiology of Communicable Diseases in Natural Disasters*. New York: Springer, 2017.

[4]Fredric’s, R. R., Keim, P., & Barrais, R. (2012). Nepalese origin of cholera epidemic in Haiti. Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 18(6), E158-E163. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-0691.2012.03855.x

[5]Paudel, Keshab. “Health Consequences of Natural Disasters in Developing Countries.” *Nepal Journal of Epidemiology*, vol. 6, no. 3, 2016, pp. 579-83. doi:10.3126/nje. v6i3.15861.

[6]Cutter, S. L., Boruff, B. J., & Shirley, W. L. (2003). Social vulnerability to environmental hazards. Social Science Quarterly, 84(2), 242-261. https://doi.org/10.1111/1540-6237.8402002

[7]Bhattarai, S., and M. Bista. *Waterborne Diseases in Nepal: Challenges and Prevention*. Kathmandu: Nepal Health Press, 2019.

[8]Gautam, S., et al. “Mobile Health and Disaster Preparedness: Nepalese Perspectives.” *Journal of Public Health in Developing Countries*, vol. 33, no. 2, 2019, pp. 98-112.

[9]Connell, J., Appau, S., & Mason, P. (2016). Population mobility and the spread of infectious diseases in disaster contexts. Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness, 10(3), 375-382. https://doi.org/10.1017/dmp.2015.165

[10]Thapa, S. “Gender and Disaster Risk Reduction in Nepal.” *Journal of Gender Studies*, vol. 27, no. 5, 2018, pp. 610-23.

[11]WHO. *Guidelines for Vaccination in Emergencies*. Geneva: World Health Organization, 2018.

[12]National Planning Commission. (2017). National strategy for disaster risk management. Government of Nepal. https://www.npc.gov.np/en/publication/nsdrm-2017

[13]Paudel, D., et al. “Community Health Volunteers in Nepal: A Key Asset for Disaster Preparedness.” *Nepal Journal of Health Sciences*, vol. 5, no. 1, 2019, pp. 45-53.

[14]Ministry of Health and Population. *Post-Earthquake Health Sector Response Report*. Kathmandu, 2019.

[15]Singh, P., et al. “Health System Resilience in Nepal: Lessons from Disaster Response.” *Global Health Action*, vol. 14, 2021, Article 1889243.

[16]UNDP Nepal. *Disaster Risk Management and Health: Institutional Analysis*. Kathmandu: United Nations Development Programme, 2020.

[17]Maharjan, J. L., et al. “Shelter Conditions and Disease Outbreaks in Post-Earthquake Nepal.” *Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness*, vol. 11, no. 4, 2017, pp. 450-57.

[18]Sharma, R., and K. Karki. “Application of GIS in Disaster Management in Nepal.” *Nepalese Journal of Remote Sensing*, vol. 8, no. 1, 2020, pp. 27-36.

[19]Connolly, M. *Communicable Diseases Control in Emergencies: A Field Manual*. Geneva: WHO, 2005.

Downloads

Published

2025-08-22

Issue

Section

Articles