Bhutan’s Crisis Preparedness: Strengths, Gaps, and Urgent Reforms

Bhutan’s crisis preparedness efforts are improving but still face significant gaps, as revealed in the Bhutan Crisis Preparedness Gap Analysis, Technical Report. The country’s vulnerability to natural disasters is exacerbated by climate change, fragile infrastructure, and governance challenges. Strengthening early warning systems, emergency response mechanisms, and financial sustainability are crucial to bolstering resilience. Policy reforms, investments in critical infrastructure, and greater community engagement are key to ensuring a safer future.

A recent Bhutan Crisis Preparedness Gap Analysis, Technical Report, published by The World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), sheds light on the country’s vulnerabilities to natural disasters and the urgent reforms needed to bolster its resilience. The report examines Bhutan’s existing disaster management policies, infrastructure, and emergency response systems, revealing critical gaps that could hinder effective crisis response. Nestled in the Himalayas, Bhutan faces a unique set of challenges when it comes to disaster preparedness. The country is prone to earthquakes, floods, and landslides, with climate change further intensifying these threats. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, increasing the risk to lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. While Bhutan has made significant progress in disaster management, including the establishment of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and the Disaster Management Act, the report underscores the need for better institutional coordination and enhanced local governance. Fragmented responsibilities among agencies create inefficiencies, slowing down response times and leaving communities vulnerable.

An effective early warning system is crucial for minimizing disaster impacts, and Bhutan has been working toward improving its capabilities. However, gaps in coverage persist, particularly in remote and high-altitude areas where real-time data collection and forecasting remain a challenge. Strengthening risk assessment frameworks and integrating hazard mapping into urban planning and development policies is essential for enhancing disaster preparedness. Despite efforts to improve emergency response, Bhutan’s limited human resources, financial constraints, and logistical bottlenecks continue to pose significant challenges. Although emergency response drills are conducted, the report highlights the need for more frequent and community-inclusive training programs to ensure readiness at all levels. Additionally, supply chain vulnerabilities remain a major concern. The country’s reliance on external aid for emergency stockpiling could prove detrimental in the event of a large-scale crisis. Strengthening domestic supply chains and investing in resilient infrastructure is critical for long-term sustainability.

Bhutan’s transportation networks, health services, and utilities are highly susceptible to damage from natural disasters. Roads, bridges, and hospitals often bear the brunt of extreme weather events, further complicating emergency response efforts. Energy and water supply systems, essential for maintaining public health and safety, require greater resilience planning to withstand climate-induced hazards. Public awareness campaigns on disaster risk reduction exist but lack widespread reach. The report emphasizes the importance of community-based disaster risk management (CBDRM), advocating for local engagement in preparedness planning. Incorporating traditional knowledge and cultural beliefs into disaster resilience strategies could further enhance community participation and preparedness. One of the most pressing concerns identified in the report is Bhutan’s limited disaster management budget. The country relies heavily on international aid and donor funding, creating long-term financial uncertainty for disaster risk reduction programs. Additionally, risk insurance mechanisms remain underdeveloped, leaving communities exposed to economic losses in the aftermath of disasters. The report calls for increased investment in infrastructure resilience, early warning technologies, and capacity-building initiatives. Encouraging public-private partnerships and exploring innovative financing models could help bridge the resource gap and ensure sustainable funding for disaster preparedness.

To enhance crisis preparedness, the report outlines a set of actionable recommendations: improve institutional coordination by clarifying roles and responsibilities among government agencies, expand and modernize early warning systems to ensure real-time, accurate forecasting, invest in emergency preparedness, including frequent training for responders and increased stockpiling of essential supplies, enhance infrastructure resilience, focusing on roads, health facilities, and utilities, strengthen community engagement by integrating local knowledge into disaster risk reduction strategies, and develop sustainable financial mechanisms, such as disaster risk insurance and private sector partnerships, to ensure long-term funding. The Bhutan Crisis Preparedness Gap Analysis, Technical Report, published by The World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), presents a stark reminder of the country’s vulnerabilities and the urgent need for systemic improvements. While progress has been made, policy reforms, increased investments, and stronger community participation are essential to ensure that Bhutan is ready to face future crises. The findings serve as a call to action for policymakers, development partners, and local communities to work together in strengthening Bhutan’s resilience against disasters.