The School Earthquake Safety Program (SESP)

The School Earthquake Safety Program (SESP) is one of the priority initiatives
under the Kathmandu Valley Earthquake Risk Management Project (1997-2001).
The program evolved from a simple school retrofit to a comprehensive program
of earthquake safety involving the entire community. This case study developed
the rationale for focusing on schools and the comprehensive process of
developing and implementing SESP in the Kathmandu Valley. SESP includes a
survey and vulnerability assessment of public school buildings through school
headmasters; retrofitting and reconstruction of schools; local masons’ training on
earthquake resistant construction; a participatory community-based approach to
earthquake mitigation; awareness raising and education on earthquake safety for
teachers, school children and parents; empowerment of communities and
general improvement of safety and livelihood; and institutionalizing SESP in local
government.