The objective of this project is to reduce human and material losses from Glacier Lake Outburst Flooding (GLOF) in Solukhumbu district and catastrophic flooding events in the Terai and Churia Range.

Occurrence of GLOF events is potentially increasing due to various factors, including climate change and the attention that has been paid towards reducing the risks posed by GLOFs in the Himalayan region is inadequate. The GLOF risk reduction efforts are mainly focused on structural, hydrological and geo-technical engineered interventions that have been undertaken in some of the places. There is a need to establish a holistic GLOF risk reduction and preparedness mechanism in the region. However, non-structural risk reduction measures such as appropriate early warning systems, awareness raising, coordinated preparedness and land use planning need to be developed and executed in areas affected by GLOFs. Hence, UNDP has initiated this project in order to reduce the risk of GLOFs by promoting community-based risk reduction approaches.

In addition, the project will also provide an opportunity for networking among practitioners from a range of disciplines, including climate change (CC), disaster risk management (DRM) and environment and development planning for more effective and enhanced knowledge sharing. The project will directly benefit communities and counterpart institutions working at local, national and regional levels on disaster risk management, land use and development planning and environment, water and energy management

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