Book

Description

As climate change intensifies and disasters become more frequent, the question is no longer whether societies can respond, but who will lead that response. In Nepal—one of the world's most disaster-prone countries—young people stand on the front lines of earthquakes, floods, landslides, and climate-induced crises. They volunteer, innovate, mobilize communities, and save lives. Yet despite representing more than forty percent of the nation's population, they remain largely absent from disaster policy, governance, and institutional decision-making. The Nexus of Youth, Vulnerabilities, and Disaster in Nepal challenges this paradox. Moving beyond conventional discussions of vulnerability, the book critically examines why Nepal's disaster governance continues to overlook one of its greatest assets: its youth. Through a rigorous analysis of national policies, disaster legislation, institutional frameworks, and contemporary scholarship, the authors reveal the persistent gap between policy commitments and practical implementation, demonstrating how meaningful youth participation remains more rhetorical than operational. Although grounded in Nepal, this book addresses a challenge shared by disaster-prone countries across the Global South. It argues that building resilient societies requires more than infrastructure and emergency response—it demands inclusive governance that recognizes young people as leaders, innovators, and partners in disaster risk reduction. The book further explores the role of community resilience, technological innovation, and evidence-based policymaking in transforming disaster governance for the twenty-first century. Thus, this book offers a compelling case that investing in youth is not merely a social imperative—it is a strategic necessity for building resilient communities and securing a more sustainable future.