Seismic hazards pose a high risk to the Kathmandu Valley. This paper aims to assess
the urban vulnerabilities of the valley, highlighting specific factors that increase risk. It also
aims to evaluate the valley’s capacity to cope in the event of a powerful earthquake. To do
this, this paper will firstly highlight how ‘natural disasters’ are not in fact natural and the
threat to development they present. Hazards pose a risk to all nations, but this risk is
especially high for developing countries. A literature review of the elements that determine
risk will be presented, focussing on vulnerability, capacity, risk behaviour and school safety.
The risks posed to the valley as well as the mitigation work of the National Society for
Earthquake Technology (NSET) and Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) to reduce these risks
will be analysed. The School Earthquake Safety Programme (SESP) is one of NSET’s main
divisions. The work of SESP and DPSS (Disaster Preparedness for Safer Schools) I & II to
reduce risk in 23 schools will be evaluated with cost-benefit analysis. This will determine the
long term benefits of these programmes and assess their cost-effectiveness. Finally, this paper
will bring all these factors together to provide policy implications for disaster risk
management organisations.