Disaster Preparedness Network

What Disaster Preparedness Network does

Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet) is a Kathmandu-based non-profit organization established in 1996 that operates as Nepal's national umbrella body for disaster risk reduction. It coordinates and convenes 50+ member organizations — including ActionAid, Oxfam, Plan International, World Vision, Mercy Corps, and Save the Children — alongside government agencies, development partners, and community groups across Nepal and increasingly across South Asia. Its four thematic areas are coordination and networking, knowledge management, capacity building, and policy advocacy.

DPNet's product portfolio is organized around knowledge management and convening rather than commercial software. Core products include the Online Resource Center (a bilingual repository of DRR publications, research, legal documents, and training materials), the Virtual Discussion Platform (virtualdrr.dpnet.org.np) for remote collaboration among DRR practitioners, the annual National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (currently in its 4th edition as of 2025), the South Asia Policy Dialogue co-organized with Duryog Nivaran under the SIDRRA Project, Sphere Nepal (localization of Sphere humanitarian standards including the Nepali-language Sphere Handbook and six Companion Standards), and Network of Networks coordination meetings. DPNet holds two institutional designations: secretariat of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR, chaired by the Secretary of MoHA) and Sphere Geneva focal point for Nepal.

DPNet is funded almost entirely by grants from a small set of development partners — USAID/Tayar Nepal, UNICEF, Sphere Geneva, UN IOM, and the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) — with cost-sharing and policy collaboration from the Government of Nepal (MoHA, NDRRMA, MoFAGA, National Planning Commission). Services are provided free of charge to members, government partners, and local governments. Its scale is anchored by the Sphere Nepal program, which targets DRR and Sphere-standard training across all 753 Local Governments in Nepal and a stated goal of training 18,000+ local government officials. The core operating team is small (1-10 employees) and revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Disaster Preparedness Network

Legal name

Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet)

Website

https://dpnet.org.np

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet) is a Kathmandu-based non-profit, founded in 1996, that serves as Nepal's national umbrella organization coordinating disaster risk reduction across government, 50+ member NGOs, and development partners. It runs the NPDRR secretariat, Sphere standards localization, training across all 753 local governments, and DRR knowledge platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Services

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADADAK

Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) & Preparedness

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Humanitarian Relief & Emergency Response

SECONDARYBPADAEAK

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/International Development & Technical Assistance

Keywords

• Disaster risk reduction
• Humanitarian coordination
• Sphere standards localization
• DRR capacity building
• Policy advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Kathmandu

HQ country

Nepal

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: DPNet operates as a membership-based umbrella organization funded through grants from development partners, government agencies (MoHA, NDRRMA), and international organizations (USAID, UNICEF, Sphere Geneva).
2. Membership Dues: DPNet functions as a national umbrella organization with member organizations contributing to network operations and coordination activities.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DPNet operates as Nepal's national umbrella network for disaster risk reduction, providing coordination, knowledge management, capacity building, and policy advocacy services to government agencies, NGOs, INGOs, and communities. Its deliverables include the Online Resource Center, Virtual DRR Platform, National Conferences on Disaster Risk Reduction, Sphere Nepal humanitarian standards localization, and Network of Networks coordination meetings.

Product overview

Disaster Preparedness Network-Nepal (DPNet) is a national umbrella organization established in 1996 that operates as a coordination and knowledge management network rather than a technology product company. The organization offers a portfolio of programs and platforms including the Online Resource Center (a digital repository of DRR publications and resources), the Virtual Discussion Platform (enabling virtual collaboration among stakeholders), annual National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction events, the South Asia Policy Dialogue for regional policy engagement, Sphere Nepal (humanitarian standards localization program), and Network of Networks coordination meetings. DPNet's core focus areas are coordination and networking, knowledge management, capacity building, and policy advocacy in disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. The organization serves as the secretariat of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction (NPDRR) and functions as the focal point for Sphere standards in Nepal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sphere Nepal: DPNet serves as the focal point of Sphere Geneva in Nepal, working to institutionalize and localize Sphere humanitarian standards in Nepal.

Products and services

• Online Resource Center A comprehensive digital repository hosted at dpnet.org.np/resource that provides access to DPNet publications, research papers, legal documents, training materials, disaster reports, and other DRR-related resources in both Nepali and English languages for DRR practitioners and policymakers.
• Virtual Discussion Platform A web-based platform accessible at virtualdrr.dpnet.org.np that enables virtual discussions, knowledge sharing, and collaboration among disaster risk reduction practitioners and stakeholders in Nepal.
• National Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (NCDRR) An annual national conference series organized by DPNet that brings together government representatives, DRR practitioners, civil society organizations, and development partners to discuss disaster risk reduction strategies, share knowledge, and advance policy dialogue in Nepal.
• South Asia Policy Dialogue A policy dialogue initiative organized jointly with Duryog Nivaran under the SIDRRA Project that brings together senior government representatives, DRR practitioners, civil society organizations, researchers, and development partners from across South Asia to promote inclusive, evidence-based, and community-centered approaches to disaster risk reduction and climate resilience.
• Sphere Nepal DPNet's focal point initiative for localizing and institutionalizing Sphere humanitarian standards in Nepal, including translation of Sphere Handbook 2018 into Nepali, conducting training of trainers, province-level trainings, and disseminating standards to local governments across Nepal's 753 local levels.
• Network of Networks Meeting A coordination platform that brings together civil society networks, platforms, federations, and organizations working in disaster risk reduction, humanitarian response, climate resilience, localization, inclusion, and community preparedness in Nepal to strengthen coordination and avoid duplication.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 18,000 local government representatives trained on DRR and Sphere standards
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Duryog NivarancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Duryog Nivaran is a key South Asian network partner that co-organizes policy dialogues with DPNet on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. The two organizations jointly organized the South Asia Policy Dialogue under the SIDRRA Project, promoting inclusive, evidence-based, community-centered approaches to DRR.
• Sphere GenevacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPNet serves as the national focal point for Sphere Standards in Nepal, working with Sphere Geneva to localize and institutionalize humanitarian standards. Activities include translating Sphere Handbook 2018 into Nepali, training of trainers, and disseminating standards to all Local Governments.
• SIDRRA ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Strengthening Inclusive Disaster Risk Governance for Climate Resilience in Asia (SIDRRA) Project supports joint policy dialogues and DRR initiatives between Duryog Nivaran and DPNet, focusing on inclusive and community-centered approaches.
• UN IOMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUN IOM collaborates with DPNet to deliver disaster risk reduction training programs in all 753 Local Governments in Nepal. DPNet provides 1,506 copies of Sphere Handbook for distribution during training programs.
• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF supported the reprinting of 1,600 copies of the Nepali version of Sphere Handbook, enabling wider distribution to local governments and humanitarian practitioners.
• USAID/Tayar NepalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSAID/Tayar Nepal supports DPNet's Chhemata Avibridhhi (Capacity enhancement for DRR&M) project, funding Sphere standard training and DRR localization programs for local governments.
• Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMoHA is the key government ministry partner for DRR in Nepal. DPNet serves as NPDRR secretariat under MoHA's chairmanship and collaborates on policy development, disaster reports, and national DRR strategies.
• National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDRRMA works with DPNet on disaster risk governance, Sphere standard sensitization, and DRR localization. DPNet supports NDRRMA's coordination role in disaster response and recovery.
• ITP Alumni Association NepalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDPNet collaborates with ITP Alumni Association Nepal to compile and publish change initiatives in disaster risk management from Nepal, documenting ITP alumni contributions to DRR.
• Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAIN represents international NGOs in Nepal and works with DPNet on DRR coordination, advocacy, and shifting from reactive to preparedness-oriented disaster management.
• Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMSB runs the International Training Program (ITP) on Disaster Risk Management in collaboration with Sida. DPNet coordinates ITP alumni activities and change initiatives in Nepal.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• ICVA (International Council of Voluntary Agencies): Global network of voluntary humanitarian agencies engaged in humanitarian policy and coordination. Comparable to DPNet as a network-of-networks platform focused on humanitarian policy, coordination, and advocacy.
• GNDR (Global Network for Disaster Reduction): Global network of civil society organizations working on disaster risk reduction. Comparable as a multi-stakeholder DRR network that aggregates frontline voices and runs community-level capacity programs, similar to DPNet's 'Network of Networks' model.
• NGO Federation of Nepal: Nepal's national umbrella federation of NGOs. Comparable as a coordination and advocacy body for civil society in Nepal, with which DPNet directly partners; functions overlap in convening and policy engagement.
• Sphere Geneva (Sphere Standards): Global humanitarian standards body for which DPNet serves as Nepal's focal point. Directly comparable in mandate to localize humanitarian standards; operates a parallel network of country focal points with similar coordination, training, and translation roles.
• Association of International NGOs in Nepal (AIN): Umbrella body for international NGOs operating in Nepal, including disaster response. Directly comparable as a national coordination platform for humanitarian and DRR INGOs, with overlapping membership and policy advocacy functions.
• Duryog Nivaran: South Asia regional network for disaster risk reduction and climate resilience. Directly comparable to DPNet as a regional CSO coordination platform; both jointly organize the South Asia Policy Dialogue under the SIDRRA Project.
• Humanitarian Partnership Platform (HPP) Nepal: Nepal-based coordination platform for humanitarian response actors. Directly comparable to DPNet as a Nepal-headquartered network convening humanitarian and DRR stakeholders for joint coordination.
• ADRRN (Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network): Asia-wide network of DRR and humanitarian CSOs. Directly comparable to DPNet as a regional coordination platform connecting national NGOs, sharing knowledge, and convening policy dialogue across Asia-Pacific.

Emerging players

• Start Network: Global network of humanitarian NGOs focused on anticipatory action and crisis response financing. Comparable to DPNet as a network-of-networks model emphasizing preparedness, anticipatory action, and inclusive DRR programming.
• NEAR Network (Network for Empowered Aid Response): Network of local and national humanitarian actors focused on localization. Comparable to DPNet's stated mission of strengthening national and local DRR capacity; operates as a peer platform at the global level for capacity building and coordination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/DPNetNepal1996
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@dpnetnepal8388
• Facebookfacebook.com/dpnetnepalpage
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/disasterpreparednessnetworknepal

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Disaster Preparedness Network