Network for Information, Response, And Preparedness Activities on Disaster (NIRAPAD) is a knowledge-based disaster risk management network comprising humanitarian NGOs in Bangladesh. NIRAPAD was established in 1997 with funding from USAID and was initially created by CARE Bangladesh. NIRAPAD obtained registration from the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms (RJSC) under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860. In 2008, it became an independent entity separate from CARE. NIRAPAD received its registration from the NGO Affairs Bureau in Bangladesh on May 19, 2010.NIRAPAD is a member of important organizations such as the Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT), Sphere Community Bangladesh (SCB), and CHS Alliance. Its focus is on promoting disaster-related quality and accountability initiatives, as well as supporting localisation agenda in humanitarian aid and actions. Additionally, as a technical co-lead of Localisation Technical Working Group (LTWG), NIRAPAD is committed to its role in helping people in need. As well, it supports various stakeholders in enhancing their capabilities in preparedness, anticipatory actions, response, recovery, disaster risk reduction, and climate change adaptation.
NIRAPAD actively contributes to the disaster risk management sector by generating and disseminating knowledge, providing technical support, and fostering partnerships with humanitarian agencies. Its operational framework revolves around three core areas: Innovate (introducing new concepts and tools), Inspire (encouraging innovative thinking), and Connect (strengthening collaboration at national and global levels to enhance resilience actions).
NIRAPAD at a Glance
NIRAPAD, a network of 22 non-government organisations, works for reducing disaster risk in Bangladesh through diminution of disaster related information and knowledge gap and strengthening DRM abilities of the development organisations and communities. In 1997 with the funding support from USAID, CARE Bangladesh and its disaster management partner NGOs formed a coalition and established NIRAPAD as an NGO network. However, due to its nature of work NIRAPAD got separated from CARE Bangladesh in 2006 and came forth as a full-fledged independent entity. NIRAPAD got its registration from NGO Affaires Bureau, Bangladesh on 19th May 2010. Under this new identity, NIRAPAD had been developed as a knowledge based collaborative organisation having strong collaboration and relation with more than 100 local and international humanitarian agencies, institutions and organisations. NIRAPAD promotes and supports collaboration with wider community. The Government of Bangladesh recognised it and included NIRAPAD a as member in the Bangladesh DRR Platform. Also, NIRAPAD is a Full Member of CHS Alliance.
Over time, NIRAPAD’s mandate had been shifted from information sharing to knowledge generation and management, providing technical support in DRR and CCA and promoting collaboration and partnership. Ensuring accountability at all levels as well as establishing a rightful accountable humanitarian system is another mandatory issue for the organisation. Since reformation the organisation had also been proactively involved in promotion and mainstreaming various cross cutting issues (i.e. good governance, gender, environment, etc.) and quality and accountability standards (i.e. CHS, Sphere minimum standards etc.).
