World’s largest reconstruction Experiences and learning Nepal has gained despite various adversities will be exemplary for other countries as well as our future generations

Inside NDRRMA chief speaks | NRA helps vulnerable people rebuild | JICA project benefits 95,000 people Inside Reconstruction of Ranipokhari begins | Housing grants simplified | Foreign aid in numbers Inside Helambu returning to past glory | Tembathang promotes Hyolmo culture | Public hearing in Melamchi Inside Donors pledge further support | Laprak settlement in final stage | Rs.141 billion for post-quake rebuilding

You can obtain the previous editions of ‘Rebuilding Nepal’ from NRA office at Singha Durbar. NRA latest NRA holds review meeting Government 46K houses rebuilt in first four months extends NRA term for one year The Government of Nepal has extended the term of the Na- tional Reconstruction Authority (NRA) for one year. The meeting of the Council of Ministers held on November 30 extended the NRA’s tenure for one more year. The present term is till Decem- ber 25, 2020. The Council of Ministers has said the NRA’s tenure has been extended as per the Sub-Article 3 of Article 3 of the 2072 Act re- lated to reconstruction of struc- tures damaged in the earthquake. As per the decision, the NRA will implement the recon- NRA struction work as per the allo- The National Reconstruction Author- ciaries to buy land in safe locations. cated budget for this fiscal year ity (NRA) held its four monthly review of During this period, various phases of 2077/78 which ends in mid-July its work in this fiscal year, i.e. mid-July to construction are being carried out in 305 2021. mid-November 2020. The review meeting kilometers of 20 local rural roads. During the rest of the period held on December 4 expressed its com- The number of beneficiaries filing (July 16, 2021 to December 25, mitment to complete the remaining re- their appeal has increased significantly 2021), the NRA will carry out construction works within the stipulated during this period. Altogether, 18,221 final works of reconstruction time. applications have been collected for reg- of private houses, Singh Durbar, As per the review, 46,270 private hous- istration at the Appeal Committee. Out Ranipokhari and Dharahara. es were rebuilt in the four months period of this, 1,368 applications have been During the period, the NRA will while 27 schools and 12 archeological her- cleared. update financial details and au- itage monuments were reconstructed. The total expenditure during this pe- diting and prepare all documents During this period, 6,600 beneficiaries riod is Rs. 7.84 billion, as per the financial related to responsibilities and as- received the second tranche while 5,114 report presented at the review meeting. sets to hand them over to the con- beneficiaries received the third tranche. Chief Executive Officer of the NRA cerned government agencies. Additional 685 retrofitting beneficiaries Sushil Gyewali said that all efforts need Earlier, the meeting of the signed agreement, out of which 450 re- to be focused on completing the remain- NRA Steering Committee held on ceived the first tranche of the govern- ing reconstruction works, as the NRA has September 21, 2020 and chaired ment grant for retrofitting their houses. less than seven and half months left. by Prime Minister KP Sharma In this period, 110 reconstruction Saying that the last deadline has been Oli had recommended for the ex- beneficiaries have been added to the grant set for receiving the government grant tension. The meeting had taken list and 1,350 beneficiaries, including the for reconstruction and retrofitting, CEO the decision due to the pandemic new enlisted ones, signed agreement for Gyewali directed the NRA officials to situation caused by the spread of the grant. reach out to the beneficiaries to encour- Covid-19, constraints in generat- The reconstruction of Ranipokha- age them to rebuild their houses. ing resources and the marginalized ri has been completed and inaugurated The meeting of the Council of Min- communities yet to rebuild their during this period and the 19th floor of isters held on November 30 has extended houses. Dharahara has been raised. the tenure of the NRA for one year from The meeting had also decided Likewise, 1,448 landless beneficiaries December 25. The NRA will carry out that the NRA should take up the have been granted permission to build the overall reconstruction works within responsibility of reconstruction houses at the present location while Rs. this fiscal year and will focus on handover of major projects. 200,000 has been provided to 77 benefi- works in the remaining period.

Rebuilding Nepal 1 NRA Latest Suresh Acharya becomes new Secretary at NRA The newly-appointed Secretary of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Suresh Acharya assumed his of- fice on December 14. Acting Secretary at the NRA Jiwan Prakash Sitaula and other staffs wel- comed the new Secretary. While assuming his office, Secretary Acharya said that all the staffs must work to deliver high results to make the reconstruction goal successful as the post-earthquake reconstruction is high priority of the government. The Cabinet meeting held on De- cember 10 had appointed Acharya to NRA the position. Secretary Suresh Acharya being welcomed at the NRA office.

Acharya conducts monitoring visit of Sindhupalchowk

NRA NRA Secretary Suresh Acharya (fourth from left) and Joint Secretary Gopal Prasad Aryal (third from right) during their visit of Majhi Basti in Sindhupalchowk.

Secretary at the National Reconstruc- paldanda. NRA staffs to work effectively to recon- tion Authority (NRA) Suresh Acharya Secretary Acharya also visited Majhi struct by ensuring the desired results. went on a monitoring visit in mid-January Basti, an integrated settlement in Bhim- He said the NRA is initiating to receive and received a first-hand information on tar of Sangachowkgadhi Muncipality of necessary budget to fulfill the demand the schools reconstruction in Kavrepalan- Chautara, Sindhupalchowk which had and asked officials to maintain the re- chowk and Sindhupalchowk districts. started construction with support from cords well on the expenses made by the During the visit, he inspected Ajad Sweta Foundation. non-governmental organizations in re- Madhyamik Bidhyalaya of Banepa and During his visit, Acharya also held an building schools. Shwet Ganesh Adharbhut Bidhyalaya, interaction with the chiefs and staffs of Joint Secretary and Spokesperson of Bhaleswar Madhyamik Bidhyalaya and Sha- District Level Project Implementation the NRA Gopal Prasad Aryal and Project rada Madhyamik Bidhyalaya of Panauti. Units of grant management and local in- Director of Central Level Project Imple- Similary, he visited Balefi Madhyam- frastructure, education and building of mentation Unit (Education) Ram Sharan ik Bidhyalaya of Balefi and Siddhi Ka- Sindhupalchowk. Sapkota had also accompanied Secretary maladevi Madhyamik Bidhyalaya of Pi- Secretary Acharya directed all the Acharya in the visit.

2 Rebuilding Nepal NRA Latest NRA publishes book on post-earthquake socio-economic recovery

NRA (From left to right) NRA Executive Member Chandra Bahadur Shrestha, CEO Sushil Gyewali, Executive Member Bishnu Bahadur Bhandari, Secretary Suresh Acharya and Executive Member Hari Ram Parajuli. lished with support from various organi- lihood and income generation and said zations. that the book is an important archive of Releasing the book on December 24, post-earthquake reconstruction and reha- Chief Executive Officer of the NRA Su- bilitation. shil Gyewali said that the NRA gave ut- The book includes research-based ar- most importance to the socio-economic ticles written by heads and representatives recovery while carrying out the physical of various organizations, including Dr. reconstruction. He hoped that this book Bishnu Bahadur Bhandari, the Executive The National Reconstruction Author- of experiences and efforts would be a Member of the NRA. ity (NRA) has published a book to depict consulting material for the coming gen- NRA Executive Members Dr. Chan- the post-earthquake socio-economic re- eration. dra Bahadur Shrestha and Dr. Hariram covery efforts. The book entitled “The Secretary at the NRA Suresh Acharya Parajuli and representatives of various or- Rising From the Ruins:  Experiences in thanked all those who have supported ganizations contributing to the book were Livelihood Interventions” has been pub- in realizing the NRA’s work on the live- present at the function.

Photos : NRA PM inaugurates AG’s Office Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli inaugurated newly-reconstructed building of the Attorney General’s Office at Ramshah Path on December 23. At the function, Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority Sushil Gyewali handed over the key to the building to the senior Deputy Attorney General Padam Prasad Pandey.

Rebuilding Nepal 3 NRA Latest NRA holds monitoring and evaluation interactions in 29 districts

(Clockwise from top left) NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali addressing a meeting in Chitwan. Participants of NRA monitoring and evaluation meetings in Sankhuwasabha and Makwanpur and Secretary Suresh Acharya participating in one of the meetings held in Arghakhanchi.

4 Rebuilding Nepal Photos : NRA (Clockwise from top left) NRA Executive Member Dr. Chandra Bahadur Shrestha addressing an interaction in Makwanpur; NRA Spokesperson Gopal Prasad Aryal at the meeting in Baglung; NRA Deputy Spokesperson Manohar Ghimire speaking at a meeting in Sankhuwasabha and NRA Joint Secretary Bharat Prasad Aryal at the meeting in Sindhupalchowk.

The National Reconstruction Au- completed within this fiscal year,” CEO thority (NRA) held interactions in 29 NRA will prepare Gyewali said. districts to monitor and evaluate the The interaction programs were held on-going reconstruction works. The in- work plans in Dhading, Parbat, Sindhuli, Lamjung, teractions were held in 11 most affected to implement Baglung, Sindhupalchowk, Dolakha, and 18 least affected districts. Solukhumbu, Khotang and Dhankuta on Chief Executive Officer of the NRA reconstruction January 25 while they were held in Palpa, Sushil Gyewali, Secretary Suresh Acha- works on the basis Nuwakot, Tanahu and Myagdi the day after. rya, members of the NRA Executive of recommendations Similarly, the interactions in Syangja, Committee, Joint Secretaries and the Makwanpur, Gorkha, Kavrepalanchowk, Deputy Spokesperson of the NRA had gathered at these Ramechhap, Okhaldhunga, Bhojpur and led 11 different teams that held monitor- interaction programs. Sankhuwasabha were held on January 27 ing and evaluation interactions from Jan- and those in Nawalparasi, Rasuwa and uary 25 to 30. the respective districts had chaired these Kaski were held on January 28. Those participating in these interac- interaction programs. Likewise, the programs were held in tions were office-bearers of concerned Chief Executive Officer Gyewali has Chitwan and Arghakhanchi on January 29 district facilitation committee, chiefs and said that these interactions have helped and in Gulmi on January 30. deputy chiefs of municipalities, chairper- us inform those in the districts about the CEO Gyewali had led NRA teams sons and deputy chairpersons of rural policy decisions taken at the center and in Palpa, Nawalparasi and Chitwan municipalities, chief administrative offi- give us an opportunity to gather problems while Secretary Acharya led teams in cers of the municipalities, spokespersons faced at the local level while implement- Arghakhanchi and Gulmi. and ward chairpersons of the municipali- ing the construction activities. The NRA will prepare work plans to ties, officials of the district administration “The interactions have now boosted implement reconstruction works at the offices, bankers, representatives of part- our confidence that the reconstruction district, municipal and ward level on the ner organizations and media persons. The of remaining schools and basic works of basis of recommendations gathered at heads of district coordination offices in reconstruction of other sectors could be these interaction programs.

Rebuilding Nepal 5 NRA Latest

NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali said a meeting between NRA and NDRRMA was productive. Photos : NRA NRA-NDRRMA discuss disengagement, engagement process The National Reconstruction Author- Facility. for a series of interactions, consultations ity (NRA) and the National Disaster Risk At the meeting, Chief Executive Offi- and workshops with multi-stakeholders on Reduction and Management Authority cer of the NRA Sushil Gyewali welcomed multiple themes over the coming months (NDRRMA) held a joint meeting on Janu- the participants while Secretary at the to streamline discussions around the strat- ary 3 to discuss the disengagement and en- NRA Suresh Acharya, in his introductory egy and plan for the disengagement of gagement process among them and other remarks, reaffirmed his commitment to NRA and engagement of NDRRMA. The relevant agencies. support all measures that will be taken up EU-funded NEARR Facility is requested During the meeting, both the gov- by both authorities and all other stakehold- to provide technical, financial and logistical ernment entities shared their work plans, ers. support for these endeavors, including the discussed financial resource planning and Chief Executive of the NDRRMA Anil provision of short-term experts. utilization and allocation of resources Pokharel explained about the ongoing sup- Shiva Ranjan Poudel, under secretary provided by the European Union-funded port from NRA and the priorities and role at the National Planning Commission, project – Nepal-EU Action for Recovery of NDRRMA in the disaster risk reduction provided inputs on the presentations and Reconstruction (NEARR) Support and management. He presented a proposal made by NRA and NDRRMA and af-

6 Rebuilding Nepal NRA Secretary Suresh Acharya (above) and NDRRMA Chief Executive Anil Pokharel (above right) speaking at the meeting. firmed that strategic planning and close Janak Raj Dahal, Joint Secretary at the ing has been productive and reiterated collaboration over the coming months is Ministry of Home Affairs, appreciated this NRA’s full support to NDRRMA. He pro- essential, and that momentum should be initiative and offered full support of his posed to establish a joint taskforce to steer maintained. He stated that even with the ministry in the upcoming endeavors and and oversee the overall disengagement-en- background of the earthquake, the sil- activities to align and harmonize efforts gagement process. ver lining of this cloud is the fact that all for the smooth transition of powers and Representatives from NRA, NDRR- the lessons learned during the tenure of responsibilities. MA, MoHA, NPC, Ministry of Finance NRA will not be lost with this disengage- Rounding up the discussion, NRA and the EU-funded NEARR Facility par- ment-engagement process. CEO Gyewali said that the first such meet- ticipated in the meeting. Public Service Commission to get a new building

Photos : NRA The under-construction building of the central office of Public Service Commission at Kamalpokhari has reached the final stage. Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority Sushil Gyewali inspected the construction works on December 10.

Rebuilding Nepal 7 NRA Initiative 86-year-old Maili Tamang’s dream comes true

Maili Tamang with mobile mason and volunteer infront of her newly-reconstructed house. Photos: HRRP

Maili Tamang, 86, of Ward no. 13 of Bidur Municipality, had earlier signed an agreement to receive the grant to rebuild her house that was damaged in the April 2015 earthquake. She, however, could not start rebuilding her house despite taking the first tranche of Rs. 50,000. As she is a single woman with no one to support her, she could not complete re- constructing her house. She also did not have enough money to rebuild. Thus, she spent four years in tem- porary shelter. She has bitter experience living in temporary shelter. Her neighbors reconstructed their houses two years ago. Though she too wanted to have a safe house to live in, she couldn’t do anything. Women mobile masons working to rebuild Maili Tamang's house. One day, a social worker of ward vis- Bidur Municipality to support reconstruct She is now eligible to receive the second ited her house and informed her about the houses of vulnerable groups. As Maili tranche of Rs. 150,000, third tranche of the extra support of Rs. 50,000 for the Tamang did not have money to buy con- Rs. 100,000 and the top up amount of Rs. vulnerable people. She initially denied struction materials, the masons and social 50,000 to be given to vulnerable. This will constructing a new house. Social worker mobilizers supported her to get all the be enough for her to pay back all the costs visited the next day with his colleagues necessary construction materials from the incurred to buy construction materials. and assured her to support in completing nearby market. With the NRA’s support and with house reconstruction. The mobile mason and ward volun- help from mobile masons and volunteers, The National Reconstruction Au- teer are now supporting her to rebuild Maili Tamang’s dream of living in a safe thority (NRA) deputed mobile masons to her house. It has almost been completed. and secured house is finally coming true.

8 Rebuilding Nepal NRA Initiative Landless Padam Bahadur getting a new house

Photos : NRA Padam Bahadur Kami. NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali visited Padam Bahadur's under-construction house.

Padam Bahadur Kami, 62, of Na- mission to build his house on public land. The local government is helping Pad- mobuddha-2 in Kavrepalanchowk lost The local government had requested am Bahadur with construction materials, his house in the April 2015 earthquake. the NRA to support him as he is both a as the government’s grant of Rs. 300,000 As he had been living in public land, he destitute Dalit and landless as well. The was not sufficient to build the house and could not rebuild his house for a long NRA then provided the support by send- he doesn’t have the required fund. time. ing mobile mason and social mobilizer. Ward Chair Sanjeev Dhakal said that However, with support from the Na- Social mobilizer Binita Paudel mobi- the local government is helping Padam tional Reconstruction Authority (NRA) lized four mobile masons and construct- Bahadur to construct house, as it’s the and the local government, reconstruction ed Padam Bahadur’s house in about 20 fundamental right of a citizen to have a of Padam Bahadur’s house is about to be days with roofing yet to be completed. house. completed. Once the roof is installed on Padam Bahadur expressed his happi- Dhakal said that there are 10 bene- the house, he will be able to start living in ness with Chief Executive Officer of the ficiaries in his ward who fall under the a new house. NRA Sushil Gyewali when the latter vis- vulnerable category of the NRA and As per the working procedures adopt- ited the construction site in January first seven of them need support to rebuild. ed by the NRA to support the landless week. He told Gyewali that he was very The social mobilizers and mobile masons and destitute population to rebuild their happy to have his dream fulfilled to live deployed by the NRA are helping in the houses, Padam Bahadur received the per- in a safe house. construction of these houses.

Peter Phyawa Tamang Social mobilizers and mobile masons deputed by the National Reconstruction Authority have helped rebuild the house of 72-year-old Oshya Tamang in Khaniyabas-2 of Dhading.

Rebuilding Nepal 9 Cover Five years of reconstruction World’s largest reconstruction The international community has praised Nepal’s achievements in post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation. The experiences and learning we have gained despite various adversities will be exemplary for other countries as well as our future generations.

present term of December 25, as per the while 167,573 (21%) beneficiaries are Sub-Article 3 of Article 3 of the 2072 constructing their houses. Act related to reconstruction of struc- We have addressed the grievances tures damaged in the earthquake. of 634,973 applicants we had received. As per the decision, the NRA will im- From this, 106,465 applicants have been plement the reconstruction work as per added as reconstruction beneficiaries the allocated budget for this fiscal year and 67,681 as retrofitting beneficiaries. 2077/78 which ends in mid-July 2021. A provision has been arranged to listen In the remaining period (July 16, to unsatisfied applicants through an ap- 2021 to December 25, 2021), the NRA pellate committee after registering their will carry out final works of reconstruc- grievances at the district level. Sushil Gyewali tion of private houses, Singh Durbar, Besides, the NRA is helping in the re- Ranipokhari and Dharahara. During the construction of houses belonging to the The National Reconstruction Au- period, the NRA will update financial vulnerable groups. The NRA carried out thority (NRA), which was established for details and auditing and prepare all doc- a special campaign for this by deputing reconstruction and rehabilitation of the uments related to responsibilities and as- about 900 mobile masons and 254 social damages caused by the April 2015 earth- sets to hand them over to the concerned mobilizers. The NRA has already helped quake and the subsequent aftershocks, has government agencies. rebuild 242 houses and a large number of completed five years on December 25. houses are currently under-construction. On this day, we express our deep con- Altogether, more than 4,000 bene- dolences to all those who lost their lives Beneficiaries have ficiaries living in vulnerable areas have in the earthquake. to apply to the been provided with land in safer areas In the last five years, we have been to reconstruct their houses while about able to make a significant progress in concerned local 11,500 landless people and landless the post-earthquake reconstruction and governments for squatters have been granted permission rehabilitation. Using disaster as an op- to rebuild their houses where they have portunity, the NRA adopted the principle certification to been temporarily living at present. It has of ‘Build Back Better’ and has now man- receive the third also decided that grant will be provided aged to rebuild hundreds of thousands tranche by mid-May to buy land for more than 1,300 landless of earthquake-resilient structures in 32 beneficiaries. earthquake-affected districts while many 2021. Similarly, out of 130 integrated set- other structures are at the final stage of tlements that are being constructed, 50 construction. Despite the political transition, geo- settlements have already completed while However, in the last year, the spread graphical difficulties, lack of budget and the rest are under-construction. of coronavirus around the world also im- management of human resources, the The NRA has also set a new and last pacted Nepal. As you all know, the Nepal NRA has made significant progress in the deadline to receive the government grant government had to lockdown for months reconstruction of damaged structures, for reconstruction and retrofitting. As to control the spread of the virus that rehabilitation of displaced families and per the decision, the existing beneficia- causes coronavirus disease, Covid-19. improving their livelihood. ries were given the deadline to sign the Due to the pandemic caused by the grant agreement by the end of Mangsir Covid-19, constraints in generating nec- Over 90 percent progress in private (mid-December 2020) and receive the essary resources and in light of the mar- housing reconstruction first tranche of the grant by 15 Poush (30 ginalized communities yet to rebuild We have made more than 90 percent December). their houses, the Nepal government has progress in the reconstruction of pri- The beneficiaries who have already extended the term of the NRA for one vate houses. Out of 808,890 beneficia- received the first tranche but yet to re- year. The meeting of the Council of Min- ries who have signed agreement for the build their houses will have to start re- isters held on November 30 extended the government grant, 559,429 (69%) ben- construction and apply to the concerned NRA’s tenure for one more year from the eficiaries have already built their houses local governments for certification to re-

10 Rebuilding Nepal Photos: NRA NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali addressing a press meet. Secretary Sushil Acharya and executive members were also present at the press meet. ceive the second tranche by the end of communities, universal standards on heri- Magh (12 February 2021). Our on-site owner- tage, the time required in wooden artistry All the reconstruction and retrofitting and sculpting. beneficiaries have to apply to the con- built model of Similarly, out of 7,553 school build- cerned local governments for certification construction ing, 81 percent have been reconstructed to receive the third tranche by the end of while about 1,500 schools are currently Baisakh 2078 (mid-May 2021). created jobs for under-construction. The reconstruction Similarly, the NRA also called upon the local people of these schools is set to be completed by the beneficiaries who want to rebuild the and contributed this fiscal year. existing house or retrofitting beneficia- Likewise, the reconstruction of about ries who want to repair their houses to significantly in the 700 health institutions has been complet- immediately apply at the concerned Dis- national economy. ed while the rest will be completed within trict Level Project Implementation Units this fiscal year. (Building). within Magh (mid-February 2021). Out of 415 public buildings, about The reconstruction and retrofitting is 90 percent has been reconstructed while Significant progress in rebuilding her- in full swing at Babarmahal, Kesharma- only two security sector buildings are yet itage and public structures hal, Bal Mandir and Ranoddwip Durbar to be reconstructed out of 216 under the We have also made significant prog- and other durbars of archaeological sig- NRA jurisdiction. ress in restoring the cultural and archae- nificance within the Narayanhiti - Muse There has also been important prog- ological heritage sites. Out of 920 sites, um area. The master plan for integrat- ress in the reconstruction of monasteries, the reconstruction of 465 sites has been ed Tundhikhel, Democratic Museum, roads and drinking water structures. completed while the rest are under-con- Narayanhiti Museum, Gorkha Durbar, struction. Our major monument Ra- Nuwakot Durbar and seven other archae- World’s largest reconstruction nipokhari has been reconstructed while ological heritage sites are in the approval Since the establishment of the NRA, construction is ongoing on the 20th floor stage, after which these sites will be de- we have been carrying out the reconstruc- of Dharahara and two more floors will be veloped. tion works by mobilizing government completed soon. The reconstruction of heritage sites is employees and experts by establishing Work is underway at the north, south relatively complex and challenging. Prop- Central Level Project Implement Units and eastern components of the main ad- er consideration must be made concern- (CLPIUs) and District Level Project Im- ministrative building of Singh Durbar, as ing competent human resources, building plementation Units (DPLIUs). We have we plan to shift the Office of the Prime materials, preservation of religious and arranged to coordinate, cooperate and Minister and the Council of Ministers cultural aspects, agreement with local implement the reconstruction works

Rebuilding Nepal 11 grams and Rs. 49 billion loans from the Indian Exim Bank has been propose to the government. Thus, the actual com- mitment from the donors stands at Rs. 294 billion. Out of this, Rs. 238 billion has been realized by signing necessary agreements. Besides, agreements worth Rs. 90 bil- lion have been signed with the non-gov- ernmental organizations out of which Rs. 72 billion have been mobilized in various works. Hence, we have ensured that 100 percent of the donors’ pledged amount is mobilized. All the donor agen- cies and friendly countries have praised the progress in Nepal’s reconstruction which is a matter of pride for us.

Inform the world through interna- tional conference At the end, the NRA would continue to work together with the government A newly-constructed building of Mahalangur Madhyamik Bidhyalaya in Gumdel of Umakunda-1 of Ramechhap. agencies, non-governmental organiza- tions, international community, various through the concerned local governments Iron sheets, crushers and wood. This has organizations and local communities after the local level election. contributed significantly in the national to fulfill its mandate on the post-earth- We are working together with the economy. It has also generated the feel- quake reconstruction and rehabilitation. newly-established National Disaster Risk ing of community development among The international community Reduction and Management Authority the local people and established an ex- has praised Nepal’s achievements in (NDRRMA) on works related to long- ample of partnership between the local post-earthquake reconstruction and re- term disaster management. people and the government. habilitation. The experiences and learn- This has enabled us to handover the About 800,000 families now have ac- ing we have gained despite various ad- remaining works to the concerned gov- cess to banking through their bank ac- versities will be exemplary for other ernment agencies after its term comes counts. Earthquake-resilient engineering countries as well as our future genera- to an end and ensure that institutional technology has been developed based tions. In this context, we have started to memory and sustainability is guaranteed. on the locally-available wood, stones document our experiences and efforts The NRA Steering Committee has also and mud. This would help us realize our and publicizing them through an inter- approved our future plan. dream of making a resilient country by national conference. The reconstruction work that we replicating the building resilient houses The support and goodwill received have carried out is the largest such using locally-available construction ma- from various sectors have enabled us to post-earthquake reconstruction in the terial. showcase our achievement, experience world in terms of damages. It is also Our archaeological heritages have and learning gained in Nepal’s recon- most challenging due to our geographi- been restored to their original forms. struction and rehabilitation work at the cal terrain and our available human and The local communities have widely par- global front, with confidence and pride. other resources. ticipated in this process. This has helped Taking this opportunity, I would like to Despite all these issues, Nepal’s preserve our arts and culture. thank all the three levels of government, post-earthquake reconstruction has now various social and professional organi- reached a final stage of completion. Rs. 339 billion spent so far zations, the international community, During the reconstruction, we have not The total cost requirement for re- non-governmental organizations, staff, only reconstructed the damaged struc- construction and rehabilitation as per local communities, common people and tures in quantitative manner, but have the latest revised five-year plan is Rs. 488 media including all those who supported also brought qualitative changes. This billion. Out of this, Rs. 339 billion have directly and indirectly in the reconstruc- has created at least 166 million work days been spent through the Nepal govern- tion work. of employment. ment and the donors. Our on-site owner-built model of Though the donors had pledged Rs. (This article is based on the press statement issued construction created jobs for the local 410 billion during the donors’ confer- by Chief Executive Officer Sushil Gyewali to mark the people while it has supported the local ence, Rs. 67 billion has been spent on completion of NRA’s five years. Figures updated as of industries produce cement, bricks, steels, rescue and relief works and other pro- January 31, 2021.)

12 Rebuilding Nepal Cover Five years of reconstruction Remarkable achievement through limited resources The lessons learnt through the National Reconstruction Authority is that we need to have organizational structures with more power and independence and necessary resources to achieve a required goal while implementing post-disaster reconstruction in future.

Introduction suffered maximum damages. Apart from Nepal is prone to various disasters. Ev- private houses, there was a huge damage ery year, Nepal encounters a huge amount in educational and health institutions, of loss of lives and property due to vari- public heritage, archeological heritages, ous disasters. We have been suffering due roads etc. The affected districts were 31 to the floods and landslides every year, the (32 at the present) in central Nepal out of recent landslide and soil erosion caused which 14 districts were the most affect- huge loss of lives and property in several ed while 17 (now 18) were least affected districts. Several reports show that Nepal districts. As per the disaster estimation, ranks 20th most vulnerable country in the losses were worth Rs. 706 billion. The terms of natural disaster, fourth most vul- report stated that an estimated Rs. 669 nerable in terms of climate change, 11th in billion was required to reconstruct this Manohar Ghimire terms of earthquake and 30th in terms of damage. flood and landslide. The report of Ministry As per the Post-Disaster Recovery Nepal is a high risk country from di- of Home Affairs denotes that Nepal that Framework (2016-20) prepared by the saster risk perspective. Every year, Nepal has its geographical terrain divided into the NRA, the total cost of rebuilding was es- has to endure a huge amount of loss of Himalayas, Mountain and Tarai, has more timated to be Rs. 938 billion. This is about lives and properties due to various disas- than 90 percent of its population at the one-fourth of Nepal’s Gross Domestic ters, including floods and landslides. In risk of natural disaster. While conducting Production. As per the mid-term review the past 80 years, the earthquake of 2015 a comparative study of 21 cities with sim- of the Post-Disaster Recovery Frame- with Barpak as the epicenter is the biggest ilar geography in the world, the Kathman- work (2016-20) carried out in 2018, the disaster. This resulted in a huge amount du Valley is found to be at the highest risk estimated cost was revised as Rs. 630 bil- of loss of lives and properties. The gov- from an impact perspective. lion. After the recent review assessment, ernment established the National Recon- In Nepal’s history, the Gorkha Earth- the total cost for reconstruction and re- struction Authority (NRA) as a special en- quake of April 25, 2015 is the biggest di- habilitation has now been estimated at tity with an aim of prompt reconstruction saster after the Great Earthquake of Jan- Rs. 488 billion. of the physical losses that occurred. uary 16, 1934. During the Great Earth- The NRA was established as a spe- The National Reconstruction and Re- quake of 1934, there were 8,519 deaths cialized entity as per the Act Related to habilitation Policy 2016 along with its fore- and it damaged 207,740 structures, in- Reconstruction of Earthquake Affected sightedness and clear plan to establish a cluding houses, temples, shrines, resting Structures, 2015 and started its work on safe settlement and prosperous society has places for travelers. The 7.6 Richter scale December 25, 2015 with an objective of a mission to lead to conclude the recon- earthquake on April 25, 2015 with Bar- rapid reconstruction of the damage due to struction and rehabilitation tasks after the pak of Gorkha as the epicenter, created Gorkha Earthquake in order to strength- earthquake through maximum utilization a massive loss in Nepal. The after-shocks en the society even further and bring it of local labor and resources along with that occurred at various intervals follow- back to its original state and to carry out international assistance, and the NRA has ing this increased the loss even further. the task of reconstruction following the completed its regular term of five years There were 8,970 deaths due to this quake earthquake. It has the responsibility to for achieving this. The NRA has made re- and 23, 302 were injured. carry out the work of reconstruction in all markable achievement in the last five years As per the initial loss details collect- areas that had damages due to the earth- despite various obstacles. However, as the ed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, 773, quake within five years. The Act has the NRA could not complete its task with the 095 houses were completely damaged and provision if it cannot conclude the work spread of coronavirus, the tenure of NRA 298,998 houses were partially damaged. within five years, then its term can be ex- has been extended by a year. Particularly, houses made by stone and soil tended for a year.

Rebuilding Nepal 13 ing Committee that functions as the central authority of the NRA with the Prime-Minister as its Chair. Rights related to approving policy and plans regarding reconstruction made by the Executive Committee, providing in- structions to the Executive Commit- tee in order to make the reconstruc- tion work organized and effective, approving the budget of NRA, ap- proving the organizational structure of NRA have been delegated to this Committee. (c) Executive Committee: There is an Ex- ecutive Committee with 7 members chaired by the Chief Executive Offi- cer. Its right has been determined to comply and get compliance for the functions, duties and use of its rights as delegated to the NRA. (d) Development and Assistance Coor- NRA file dination and Facilitation Committee:  Barpak of Gorkha, the epicenter of the April 25, 2015 earthquake, now have a new look after more than 95 percent This is an 11-member committee un- houses have been rebuilt. Photo taken in April 2019. der the convenorship of the CEO to Analysis make the programs operated through By establishing a powerful NRA for development assistance effective and promoting national interest and to pro- After the recent transparent, to monitor and get such vide social justice for completing sustain- review assessment, programs monitored. able, strong and planned construction of the total cost for (e) District Coordination Committee:  damaged structures due to the devastating Each district has District Coordina- earthquake of April 25, 2015 and subse- reconstruction and tion Committee chaired by the Mem- quent after-shocks as soon as possible and rehabilitation has ber of Federal Parliament in order to resettlement and relocation of people dis- coordinate with regards to actions tak- placed by earthquake, the Government of now been estimated en by the NRA in earthquake-affected Nepal is moving ahead with reconstruc- at Rs. 488 billion. regions. tion and rehabilitation tasks. There was a (f) District Facilitation Committee: There huge damage of private housing, public ing their houses while 21 percent houses is a District Facilitation Committee schools, health facility buildings and gov- are currently under-construction. It was chaired by the Chief of District Co- ernment offices in 32 earthquake-affected more challenging as the number of hous- ordination Committee in order to fa- districts. Along with this, many people got es needed to be reconstructed was more cilitate the reconstruction works being displaced from their place of dwelling. It than what had been expected. Besides, the carried out at the district level. was necessary to reconstruct all of these reconstruction of health posts and hospi- areas. As the work is to be carried out tals, public school buildings, archeological Areas of Reconstruction with the use of available limited resourc- heritage sites, government buildings and The Gorkha Earthquake had physical es, the sectors for reconstruction have other infrastructures is being carried out. damages in various areas. The reconstruc- been prioritized. tion has covered all of these areas accord- The NRA’s first preference was re- Institutional Arrangement ingly. Primarily, the following areas of building private houses. Health posts and (a) Advisory Council:  As per the Act reconstruction has been determined for hospitals, public school buildings, arche- Related to Reconstruction of Earth- the NRA. ological heritage sites, government build- quake Affected Structure, 2015, for ● Private housing reconstruction ings and other infrastructures were prior- the purpose of advising the Steering ● Reconstruction of educational institu- itized respectively. About 900,000 victims Committee regarding preparation of tions have been listed as beneficiaries of private policy and plans, there is an Advisory ● Reconstruction of health facilities housing reconstruction and retrofitting. Council chaired by the Prime-Minis- ● Reconstruction of archeological heri- Nowhere in the world has such a large- ter. The leader of the main opposition tage sites scale private housing reconstruction been party in the parliament is the Vice- ● Areas of other physical infrastructures, carried out. Out of these, 71 percent ben- Chair of this Council. drinking water, irrigation, road etc eficiaries have already completed build- (b) Steering Committee: There is a Steer- ● Rehabilitation and livelihood

14 Rebuilding Nepal Implementation Units Policy of reconstruction and rehabil- professional organizations, social and There are three Central Level Project itation religious organizations, friendly na- Implementation Units (CLPIUs) to carry The reconstruction and rehabilitation tions, international donor agencies, out the works to be done by the NRA. For after the earthquake has covered an exten- INGOs as per the policy adopted by the first two and half years, these units sive area. The NRA has determined re- the Government of Nepal were under the concerned Ministries, construction and rehabilitation policy for ● Maintain consistency while providing meaning the NRA had no direct control successful implementation, with its work- assistance from the State to earth- over them. Since this resulted in difficul- ing area in 32 districts in the country. Fol- quake victims by maintaining set stan- ty for executing the works to be done by lowing are the main features of this policy dards the NRA, the meeting of Steering Com- with the main objective of well-managed mittee in April 2018 brought these units and safe settlement and establishment of Status of Reconstruction under the NRA and it got implemented a prosperous society: (a) Private Housing:  This is the biggest from August 2018. Under these three area of reconstruction. The Owner CLPIUs, there are District Level Project Driven Concept has been adopted in Implementation Units (DLPIUs) in the The NRA has terms of private housing reconstruc- earthquake-affected districts. determined tion. As per this policy, the beneficia- (a) Central Level Project Implementation ries have to reconstruct a multi-haz- Unit (Grant Management and Local reconstruction ard resilient house as per their needs Infrastructure) and rehabilitation according to the standards. The (b) Central Level Project Implementation policy for successful Government of Nepal has provided Unit (Building) Rs. 300,000 in three tranches to the (c) Central Level Project Implementation implementation, with beneficiaries as a grant in order to Unit (Education) its working area in 32 build earthquake-resilient houses and Among the above-mentioned entities, districts. also provide free technical assistance the Grant Management and Local In- through technicians mobilized at the frastructure Unit carries out the task of local level. grant distribution along with the recon- The beneficiaries are being provided struction of rural roads and monasteries. ● Adopt new, modern and safe housing Rs. 50,000 in first tranche, Rs.150,000 Similarly, the Building unit mobilizes and settlement development concepts in second tranche and Rs.100,000 final technicians for reconstruction of private while developing housing and settle- tranche through the bank. In order to housing and provides technical assistance ment prevent misuse of grant amount, ar- at the local level, examines if the houses ● Prioritize the use of local materials, rangement has been made for direct built are as per the standards of NRA. In knowledge, skill, labor and architec- deposit to the bank accounts of these this way, it also carries out the task of in- ture in reconstruction beneficiaries. This has resulted in tegrated settlement development, recon- ● Adopt ‘Build Back Better’ concept expansion of access to bank for the struction of public government buildings, during reconstruction general public. A total of 834,911 re- health facility buildings. ● Get private houses built by concerned construction grant beneficiaries have Education Unit carries out the re- house owners as per the ‘Owner Driv- been identified. Likewise, there are construction work related to community en Concept’. 65,105 retrofitting beneficiaries.- Fi schools that need to be reconstructed. ● Ensure that private and public build- nancial assistance worth Rs. 100, 000 Other than these three CLPIUs, oth- ings are disable and child-friendly. is provided to the retrofitting benefi- er entities are also involved in the recon- ● Emphasize use of domestic construc- ciaries. struction. tion materials to the extent possible The NRA has been working as per the The reconstruction of archeological ● Reconstruct settlements in the origi- policy to relocate settlements of risk heritage sites is carried out by the De- nal place to the extent possible areas, development of integrated set- partment of Archeology and the recon- ● If the settlement is to be shifted, then tlements under private housing recon- struction of the damaged structures of acknowledge the livelihood, culture struction. The government provides the Security Agencies (Nepal Army, Ne- and tradition of the locals, to the ex- an additional grant of Rs. 200,000 pal Police, Armed Police Force, National tent possible and relocate them near to the beneficiaries of risk areas and Investigation Department) is carried out the old settlement or the same region landless beneficiaries to purchase by those concerned agencies. The recon- or new settlement to be organized land. Also, it is the policy of the NRA struction of roads, irrigation and drinking within the district and if the relo- to provide additional financial grant water structures are being carried out by cation needs to be done in another for the physical infrastructure devel- the related agencies. district, then it is to be done without opment of integrated settlements. Significant time has been spent in co- having any negative impact on their Out of the 834,911 beneficiaries, ordination between all these entities in the culture and lifestyle. 808,890 have entered into grant last five years of reconstruction activities. ● Mobilize political parties, national agreement; 805,290 have received NGOs and community organizations, first tranche, 689,123 have received

Rebuilding Nepal 15 second tranche and 628,462 have Although a pledge of Rs. 410 billion four times, eight secretaries changed received the third tranche. Similarly, was made during the donors’ conference their hands, two dozen joint secretaries 559,429 beneficiaries have completed that also included the expenses of Rs. worked and the regular changes took house reconstruction while 167,573 67 billion incurred on relief and res- place in the CLPIUs and offices under have been carrying out reconstruc- cue in the immediate aftermath of the them. These reshuffles created a gap in tion. Compared to other nations sim- earthquake. While we could not receive understanding of reconstruction poli- ilar to our condition, this is a major the pledged amount in a timely manner, cies and had direct impact on its over- achievement that Nepal has made in some donors however, provided more all work. Due to the preconditions of the field of private housing recon- assistance than what they had pledged. development partners, number of con- struction. This created a problem with resource sultants too seemed over the top. The (b) Public Schools: Out of 7,553 public management. Due to the delay, the gov- workforce that works in this kind of schools that were to be reconstruct- ernment had to spend through its own special entities should work with high ed, 6,085 schools have already been resources. Factors like limited internal esteem and overcome the job mentality. completed while 1,468 schools are resources to be mobilized in other ar- currently under-construction. The eas too, the election for three tiers of Reconstruction an opportunity reconstruction of schools is taking government at this time, ample resourc- Disaster incidents that take place re- place through the contractors or the es to be mobilized for important areas sult in damages in the country which is school management committees or like implementation of federalism, re- no doubt painful. In a least developed from the beneficiary communities country like ours, the damage of a di- themselves. saster is even more painful. This creates (c) Archeological Heritage: Out of This kind of obstacles in the regular process of de- 920 damaged archeological heritage comprehensive velopment. But during the reconstruc- sites, 465 have been reconstructed tion, however, it also provides an oppor- while 272 such sites are currently reconstruction work tunity to carry out the process in a well- under-construction. by establishing a planned manner to help in the overall (d) Health Facilities: Out of 1,197 dam- specialized institution development of the country. Even the aged health facilities, 698 such facil- Sendai Framework has indicated that ities have already been constructed is happening for the disaster brings opportunity. This helps while 143 facilities are currently un- first time in Nepal, the society to improve the resilience to der-construction. which in itself is a be safe from future disaster. Scattered (e) Government and Security Agency settlements can be developed as inte- Buildings:  Out of 415 government new attempt. grated settlement in a planned manner. buildings to be reconstructed, 374 of them and out of 216 buildings of sulted in very challenging situation with Conclusion security agencies, 214 have already regards to resource mobilization for the The government has been carry- been reconstructed and the recon- reconstruction. This also resulted in ing out the reconstruction with utmost struction of 38 and 2 buildings are slowing down the overall speed of re- priority. This kind of comprehensive currently under-construction. construction. reconstruction work by establishing a (f) Reconstruction of Other Areas: The specialized institution is happening for reconstruction of monasteries, local Change in leadership and workforce the first time in Nepal, which in itself roads, irrigation canal, canals, drains mobilization is a new attempt. Although in the initial damaged by the earthquake is taking The workforce management re- days of the establishment of the NRA, place. Along with this, the tasks re- mained a major challenge in Nepal’s it was criticized for not being able to lated to livelihood are also moving reconstruction. It was difficult to find perform as per the expectations where- ahead in a limited manner. suitable workforce to work in difficult as in the recent days the achievements terrain in the hills and remote areas. made by the NRA is being praised ev- Management of financial resources Even those who were hired did not erywhere. The right policy and working As per the Post Disaster Needs As- work for too long and quit without direction taken by the leadership over- sessment report 2015, Rs. 706 billion completing their contracts. coming various hurdles is the cause of was estimated for the reconstruction Work also hampered due to regular the recent achievements. The lessons and rehabilitation. As per this, a donors’ changes of office chiefs in the NRA and learnt through the NRA is that we need conference was organized in June 2015 its offices and it was even more difficult to have organizational structures with to collect resources for the reconstruc- to get required number of civil servants more power and independence and nec- tion after the quake. In this conference, during the establishment period of the essary resources to achieve a required the donors pledged a significant amount NRA. The several changes in the lead- goal while implementing post-disaster of assistance. The Post-Disaster Recov- ership of the NRA also hampered work reconstruction in future. ery Framework 2016 prepared by NRA to some extent. In five years of NRA, had estimated Rs. 938 billion. the Chief Executive Officer changed (Under Secretary, National Reconstruction Authority)

16 Rebuilding Nepal Cover Five years of reconstruction We have learned a lot from NRA’s experience

Anil Pokharel is a well-known name Guidelines etc. Similarly, the Monsoon Pre- in the field of disaster management. After paredness and Response Action Plan 2077 being appointed by the Council of Minis- and Potential Cold Wave and Snowstorm ters, Pokharel started working as the first Disaster Risk Reduction and Response Na- Chief Executive of the National Disaster tional Guidelines 2077 have also been pre- Risk Reduction and Management Authori- pared and implemented. Besides, we have ty (NDRRMA) from December 15, 2019. prepared various public awareness materials Pokharel has a Bachelor’s degree in Civil in local languages and have made arrange- Engineering from Tribhuvan University and ments to broadcast them through media, Masters in ‘Environment Management: Wa- our website and social media. Our web por- ter Science Policy and Management’ from tal bipadportal.gov.np is in the final stage of Yale University of the USA. going online. Pokharel has experience working in disaster management in South and South- What does the NDRRMA do? What is East Asia. Having worked as Climate its scope of work and rights? Change and Disaster Risk management Its scope of work is wide. The NDRR- Expert with the Asian Development Bank MA has been delegated with 25 main func- and the World Bank, he also has carried out tions, duties and powers for coordinated research on this topic. and effective management of all activities The tenure of the National Reconstruc- related to disaster management to protect tion Authority (NRA) which was set up af- lives of general public from all kinds of di- ter the April 2015 earthquake is coming to sasters and public and private property, nat- an end. Now, the NDRRMA will work on ural and cultural structure. all kinds of disasters, including earthquake. We are making a one- In order to provide directions for the Meanwhile, the NRA and the NDRRMA NDRRMA, there is a National Council on have joined hands to provide rescue and re- year strategy in such Disaster Risk Reduction and Management lief works and conduct a study of the losses a way that it comes chaired by the Prime Minister. In this Coun- occurred in floods and landslides this year in into action along cil, not only ministers and provincial minis- various districts, including Sindhupalchowk ters even the leader of the opposition is a and Baglung. The two government entities with our capacity member. For providing directions in some recently held an interaction to discuss the enhancement, so that policy matters and operations, there is a disengagement and engagement strategy provision of Disaster Risk Reduction and and began the process to form a joint task- we get to learn and Management Executive Committee chaired force to finalize it. institutionalize it. by Home Minister. This committee has the The NDRRMA Chief Executive, Anil representation of even NGOs and the pri- Pokhrel, talked to Dipak Sapkota on the ous parliamentary committees. vate sector. possible strategy, the NRA’s work area and As for the policy decisions, we have This particularly works around the ca- his organization’s one year of work and the prepared and approved Monsoon-affect- pacity enhancement of local governments future planning. Excerpts: ed Private Housing Reconstruction and in terms of disaster risk reduction and man- Rehabilitation Procedure 2077, Operation agement, coordination and collaboration How was your first year in the capacity Guidelines of National Platform for Di- with concerned federal, provincial and local of Chief Executive of NDRRMA? saster Risk Reduction 2077, Disaster Search governments, NGOs and private sectors re- The initial years of any organization are and Rescue Basic Training Curriculum 2077 lated to disaster management in addition to focused on formulating necessary policies and Protocols related to Necessary Materi- relief and rescue work required immediately and organizational structure. This also in- als during Search and Rescue, First Aid and following an incident. cludes the management of workforce and Dead Body Management 2077. office building management. We are basi- Likewise, many other working proce- After being appointed as Chief Exec- cally building a foundation of the Authority dures are ready and in the process of ap- utive of the NDRRMA, you have held at present. We held seven meetings of the proval. Some of them are Disaster Risk discussions and meetings with NRA on Executive Committee in a year to formulate Financial Management Strategy 2077, various occasions. What was the learn- policies, guidelines and procedures and two Guidelines on Formation and Mobiliza- ing from this? meetings of the National Council. Similarly, tion of Volunteers Bureau 2077 and Relief We have been indeed collaborating to- we also participated in the meetings of vari- Protocols and Artificial Simulation Exercise gether at the leadership level of both the

Rebuilding Nepal 17 Authorities, holding joint meetings and dis- within this time period. We have also de- grant received for reconstruction of houses cussions on many issues. This has helped cided to form a joint taskforce. The expe- damaged by the earthquake prior to this. us very much in terms of working on risk rience of the NRA, the data, skills, knowl- Grant amount has been determined taking reduction and management. Especially, not edge collected during this and the network into account even the construction estimate only for the reconstruction after earthquake built, also the trained construction workers’ in the Himalayan and hilly regions. Now on, but it has also helped us to understand the list are going to be an important document the beneficiaries of the Himalayan region overall aspect of earthquake risks. For in- for the nation. We are not just considering will receive Rs. 500,000 for reconstruction stance, nationwide earthquake risk assess- these documents to be handed over to the after disaster and beneficiaries of the hilly ment, the study conducted in 14 districts (se- NDRRMA but we are making a one-year region and the beneficiaries of Tarai dis- verely affected by earthquake) on the land- strategy in such a way that it comes into ac- tricts will receive Rs. 300,000. slides after the earthquake every year before tion along with our capacity enhancement, I would like to remind once again that the rainfall and after the rainfall has become so that we get to learn and institutionalize it. primarily its implementation will be done a source of knowledge and information for We have referred to this as engagement and through municipality and District Disaster us. Along with that whatever private housing disengagement strategy. Management Committee. Our main role and public structures were built in five years, would be to provide technical assistance, has provided us with proven knowledge as The two entities conducted joint study arrange mechanisms for financial resources, to how can reconstruction be taken ahead of floods and landslides affected dis- to maintain quality and conduct monitoring. with the participation and trust of citizens. tricts, including Sindhupalchowk. You Equally important is that the NRA are now prepared to implement recon- There is a lot of expectation of people has built many procedures and guidelines struction and rehabilitation of those af- from the NDRRMA. What is your road- spending a long period of time and effort. fected on the basis of that study. How is map to meet these expectations? All of those documents are like guiding for- the outline of that? We have started our work by building mulas for disaster risk reduction and man- The meeting of the Executive Com- five-yearly action plan. This action plan is agement in Nepal. As a result of this, it has mittee held on January 10, 2021 has ap- as per the National Disaster Risk Reduction supported in building procedures for hous- proved the procedure regarding this. This Strategy of Nepal. This strategy has spec- ing reconstruction damaged by floods and has been made mainly on the basis of the ified what kind of work needs to be done landslides this year and shifting displaced experience gained by the NRA. In the up- within 12 years from 2018 to 2030. We have citizens to a safer place and to construct coming rehabilitation and reconstruction, mainly emphasized on disaster risk reduc- safe housing. If we did not have those doc- the local municipalities and elected people’s tion in the five-yearly plan. This means we uments, it would have definitely taken a lon- representatives will have a leading role. This have adopted the strategy to reduce such ger time and extra resources. will mainstream the work of disaster risk re- risks to the extent possible, enhance disaster Along with my appointment, our two duction and management at the local level. preparedness, and emphasize on effective organizations had discussions and meetings Arrangement has been made for the mu- response. We have particularly emphasized almost every month as to how we can work nicipalities to identify beneficiaries, district on four tasks under this. Mapping of risk together. Mainly, the work of mapping, disaster management committee to confirm areas, capacity enhancement of every orga- training booklet for elected people’s repre- it, Ward Office to take care of the grant nization for risk reduction, making a robust sentatives and staffs, be it experience of ret- agreement, and the involvement of provin- system for immediate response following rofitting or experience of building integrat- cial structures along with finances. Private disaster incident and development of early ed settlements, all of them are very useful housing reconstruction will be based on warning system for multi-hazard disasters. for future. Just some time ago, along with the owner-driven reconstruction approach. the technical team of NRA, we conducted There will be help from other technical of- It is seen that there is a huge concern ‘Geo-hydrologic’ study in districts including fices too that are situated in the district. and stake of development partners and Sindhupalchowk. The NRA has received an Our main focus in this would be to in- NGOs in this area. How are you going extension for a year now. We have taken this crease the capacity of local governments. to manage this? as an opportunity for more collaboration Along with this, in the upcoming recon- The Act has directed that through the and learning for one more year. struction, the use of indigenous knowledge, collaboration of government, non-govern- skills and materials will also be encouraged. mental, private sector, academic research You discussed about formulating en- We believe that this will help to make recon- institutes, community and general public gagement/disengagement strategy and struction after any disaster to be sustainable only the work of disaster risk reduction and its implementation during last week of and economical. If any affected doesn’t have management task would be possible. Devel- December. Please provide a bit of infor- safe land and they want to reside by them- opment partner organizations and interna- mation about its outline. selves somewhere nearby then an amount tional NGOs have a big role in this. If we The NRA has been established as per not exceeding Rs. 300,000 will be provided. move ahead jointly being active with mutual the ‘Sunset Law.’ Its term is coming to an If more than five households want to live partnership, then only we would be able to end on December 25, 2021. It has been al- as an integrated settlement, then they will reduce risk and can be rapidly mobilized in ready decided by the Steering Committee be given support for building public struc- the event of any disaster incident in the days of the NRA and Executive Committee of tures. We have made arrangements in such to come. I would like to remind you that the the NDRRMA about the disengagement a way that the grant for private housing re- NDRRMA has been formed with an aim to of the NRA and engagement of the latter construction would be a little more than the work as a pivot for all stakeholders.

18 Rebuilding Nepal Cover Five years of reconstruction Role of I/NGOs in reconstruction We can believe now that I/NGOs would be able to work with more impact in a transparent manner by reaching out to the vulnerable and target groups.

Sector Partner Number of Numbers of organizations Permissions reconstruction with permission Taken Completed Grant distribution in 37 23,182 18,914 private housing School building 168 1,488 1,308 Health post building 38 87 80 Income Generation 47 53 48 Model House 102 3,258 2,200 Bishnu Subedi Heritage Construction 3 19 15 Integrated Settlement 5 5 3 The task of reconstructing structures Drinking Water 42 62 55 damaged by the earthquake of April 25, 2015 and the subsequent aftershocks has Irrigation 26 26 23 been carried out with utmost priority. Others (7 days and 50 102 52,270 (7-day 49,457 (7-day Reconstruction of private housing, pub- days trainings) training) 25,567 training) 22,364 lic buildings, archeological heritage sites (50-day training) (50-day training) and damaged roads by the government, development partners and I/NGOs have gained momentum. This has increased ment of integrated settlements and relo- ceiving monthly, quarterly, and annual the demand of construction materials cation of risky settlements. report from organization and along and increased manufacturing, creating As per the Mobilization of NGO Sec- with that concerned organizations are employment opportunities along with tors Related Procedures, 2016 for NRA, getting recommendations of comple- making a positive impact on the over- they have done their work by fulfilling the tion recommendations from local lev- all economic growth. According to the due process before approval of the proj- el along with the last report of project Mobilization of NGO Sectors Related ect proposal. The I/NGOs have made completion. Procedures, 2016 for reconstruction and important contribution in terms of re- rehabilitation, there is a provision of car- construction by fulfilling the due process Challenges rying out various tasks related to recon- in terms of private housing, school recon- ●● Work completion recommendation or struction and rehabilitation in specified struction, health facility, model house and verification to be made from local gov- area and places as per the agreement by income generation. ernment and district project implemen- fiscal year 2019/20. ●● To submit clear project proposal along tation unit and problem with regards to The I/NGOs implemented 412 with the approval of the NGO’s proj- timely submission of its details to the projects by 241 organizations that had ect to the NRA with affiliation and government authorities, received permission to work. These or- agreement with the Social Welfare ●● To create detail with factual objecti- ganizations have pledged to spend Rs. Council, fication in the data presented by the 90,121,218,995. Out of this, the total ●● To gain input and consultation from information system database and that program cost is Rs. 72,291,709,315 and concerned experts about the proposal, provided in the progress report by administrative cost is Rs. 17,829,500,000. ●● To present to the Executive Committee NGOs and to make it well-managed Out of the total pledged amount, Rs. and gain approval, by analyzing it, 62,520,543,789 has been spent. ●● Trilateral agreement with the NGO af- ●● To make the approved target provided The NGOs have made a significant ter approval from Executive Commit- by NRA to the NGOs and real benefi- contribution in the field of reconstruc- tee, ciary data factual and objectified, tion and rehabilitation in Nepal. Along ●● To provide mandate to NGOs, ●● Lack of field monitoring by NRA and with this, there has been important assis- ●● Monitoring and evaluation from time line agencies regarding NGOs being tance in terms of conducting geological to time, focused to work in remote areas, study and submitting report for develop- ●● The situation is such that NRA is re- More on page 36

Rebuilding Nepal 19 Fact file Reconstruction in Numbers

77.7% Agreement Signed Third Tranche with Beneficiaries 808,890 Received (628,462)

Private Housing 85.2% 99.6% Grant Second Tranche First Tranche Distribution Received Received (689,123) (805,290 )

Private Housing Reconstruction Grievance Management

Grievance Added through Grievance Added through Grievance Houses Constructed 69% 559,429 Registered (Reconstruction) (Retrofitting) 634,973 106,465 67,681 167,573 Houses Under Construction 21% Retrofitting Total beneficiaries Total Agreement First Tranche in the reconstruction process Beneficiaries Signed Received 727,002 65,105 54,580 (83.8%) 53,723 (82.5%) (90%) Figures as of January 31, 2021

20 Rebuilding Nepal Fact file

Educational Institutions Health Institutions Cultural Heritage

Target Target Target 7,553 1,197 920 Reconstructed (80.6%) Reconstructed (58.3%) Reconstructed (50.4%) 6,058 698 465 Under Construction (19.4%) Under Construction (11.9%) Under Construction (29.6%) 1,468 143 272

Public Buildings Security Buildings Target Target 415 216 (Through NRA) Reconstructed (90.1%) Reconstructed (99.1%) 374 214 National Reconstruction Authority Singha Durbar, Kathmandu Under Construction (6%) Under Construction (0.9%) Tel: 01-4211482, 01-4211465 25 2 [email protected] | www.nra.gov.np

Total number of beneficiaries 12,788 Landless and squatter beneficiaries Beneficiaries approved for rebuilding in same place 11,437 Beneficiaries receiving land purchase grant of Rs. 200,000 1,351

Total number of beneficiaries 4,732 Relocation of vulnerable settlement Beneficiaries provided land for safer settlement 4,257 Beneficiaries yet to be managed 463

Graphics: Rabin Sayami

Rebuilding Nepal 21 From the partners Developing resilience in construction sector Experts stress on enhancing knowledge and capacity of private sector

Experts and representatives of vari- sector has been involved in the re- person of Federation of Construc- ous government and non-governmental construction of heritage monuments, tion Association of Nepal Rabi Singh organizations have stressed on the need schools and government and security sought the government and develop- to enhance knowledge and capacity of the sector buildings, including Dharahara, ment partners’ support in establishing private sector to develop resilience in the Chairperson of Nepal Engineering standard laboratories in various parts construction sector. Council Dilli Raman Niraula said the of the country which would help ensure They also stressed that the govern- government should prepare proper le- quality in the construction. ment and the development partners gal provisions to strengthen the capaci- Economist at the USAID Jacinto need to support the private sector in ty of the private sector. Fabiosa shed light on improving re- enhancing its capacity. Chairperson of Nepal Engineers lationships between concerned stake- This was discussed at a virtual Association Dr. Tri Ratna Bajracharya holders to strengthen the capacity of roundtable discussion on Strengthening stressed on speeding up the process to the private sector. Private Sector for Developing Resil- establish engineering training and re- USAID Mission Director Sepideh ience in Construction Sector organized search academy to further enhance the Keyvanshad and Deputy Director Mu- by the United States Agency for Inter- capacity and professionalism of the pri- hammad Khan also attended the round- national Development (USAID) on De- vate sector. table moderated by Rajeev Kumar Tha- cember 3. Deputy Director General of the De- pa, Chief of Party of Nepal Recon- In his keynote speech, Chief Exec- partment of Roads Arjun Jung Thapa struction Engineering Services (NRES) utive Officer of the National Recon- said the government has facilitated and Program and his deputy Arjun Koirala. struction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gye- provided incentives to the private sec- On the occasion, two mobile appli- wali said that the private sector played tor to encourage them to get involved cations were made public – ‘Gharbanau’ an important role in constructing earth- in the construction sector. that helps connect sellers and buyers of quake-resilient structures, distributing Informing that a laboratory is being construction material and ‘Fixit’ which grant and providing necessary training. established in Kathmandu to test the connects technicians and customers for He also informed that the private quality of construction material, Chair- maintenance works.

22 Rebuilding Nepal From the partners JICA’s reconstruction project benefits 95,000 people Indian government The Japan Inter- national Coopera- tion Agency (JICA)’s reimburses Rs. 306 million Emergency Housing Reconstruction Proj- ect (EHRP) has come to an end. EHRP was completed earlier than the originally targeted completion date. On this occasion, a closing ceremony was held virtually on December 25. The ceremony was attended by Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali, Secretary at NRA Suresh Acharya, Japanese Ambas- sador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo, Chief Representative of JICA Yumiko Asakuma and several other high ranking officials. EHRP is a Japanese loan project amounting JPY 12 billion (about Rs. 12 billion). The main objective of EHRP was to restore and improve the living condi- tion of the victims of Nepal’s 2015 earth- quakes, by reconstructing the destroyed and damaged houses using an adequate seismic standard of construction. With Photos: NRA the principle of Build Back Better, EHRP The Government of India has provided technical assistance to more than provided Rs. 306 million as reim- 95,000 housing reconstruction benefi- bursement of expenses on rebuilding ciaries in the target areas of Gorkha and schools. Sindhupalchowk. EHRP also provided Deputy Chief of Mission of the financial aid to the government for pro- Indian Embassy Namgey Khampa viding housing grant.The housing grant handed over the cheque to Chief was provided to about 34,000 beneficia- Executive Officer of the Nation- ries who successfully completed building al Reconstruction Authority (NRA) quake-resilient houses. amidst a function held at the NRA on As of November 2020, almost 90 per- January 6. Deputy Chief of Mission of the Indian Embassy cent of beneficiaries completed their house The Indian government is pro- Namgey Khampa handing over the cheque to NRA construction in JICA’s target area. The viding financial assistance of Rs. 5 CEO Sushil Gyewali. Community Mobilization Program was billion (USD 50 million) to rebuild one key factor for the success of housing schools in various earthquake-affect- schools have been reconstructed reconstruction which optimized the power ed districts. India had earlier reim- while four of them have already been of the community and promoted mutual bursed Rs. 500 million. handed over to the concerned school support. It also created job opportunity With the Indian government’s management. Fifty six schools are for over 500 mobile masons, who were support, 70 schools in seven districts currently under-construction. instrumental in assisting the house owners and a library in Kathmandu are being The Indian Embassy has ap- for reconstruction. Speaking at the closing rebuilt. As per the agreement, schools proved to call for tender to rebuild ceremony, Ambassador Saigo recalled his will be rebuilt in Gorkha, Nuwakot, remaining six schools, according to field visit to EHRP area, where the mo- Ramechhap, Dolakha, Kavrepalan- Ramsharan Sapkota, Project Director bile mason, house owner, technical sup- chowk, Dhading and Sindhupalcho- of the NRA’s Central Level Project port staff and the whole community were wk while the assistance also includes Implementation Unit (Education). working together in a well-organized way the reconstruction of the Central Li- Also present at the function were and shared his observation on the reason brary at the Tribhuvan University. NRA Secretary Suresh Acharya, Joint behind of completing the project success- Under the assistance, eight Secretary Gopal Aryal and Sapkota. fully before the original schedule.

Rebuilding Nepal 23 From the partners

Chinese experts wait to complete Kathmandu restoration The Chinese team is staying in Beijing, waiting to return to the city of temples to wrap up the restoration work once Nepal brings the pandemic under control.

24 Rebuilding Nepal Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage The nine-story Basantapur complex before the 2015 earthquake.

By Wang Fan recognized as a UNESCO World Heri- tage Site in 1979 for its outstanding archi- It's been almost a year since Guo tecture and unique coexistence of differ- Qianru, a 33-year-old Chinese conserva- ent religions. tion engineer, was last in Nepal. When she The nine-story Basantapur complex boarded a plane back to China early in Jan- stands at the entrance to Kathmandu uary, she imagined she would be back in Durbar Square. It was built in the late 18th Kathmandu soon after the Spring Festival century by Prithvi Narayan Shah, the first holiday. But then the Covid-19 outbreak king of the Shah Dynasty, who unified struck and she was unable to return to the Nepal. The complex represents a unique place where she had spent more than 200 combination of the centuries-old Newari days a year for the past two years. architecture and a foreign influence from Since August 2017, Guo and six col- the Muslim Mughals. leagues from the Chinese Academy of The Basantapur complex suffered se- Cultural Heritage (CACH) had been work- vere damage during the earthquake. The ing with a team of Nepalese artisans to re- top three floors of the Basantapur Tow- store the nine-story Basantapur complex er completely collapsed. The top level of in Kathmandu, a UNESCO World Her- the northeast tower was totally destroyed. itage Site that was badly damaged during Other parts of the structure also suffered the 2015 earthquake. damage and deformation. Numerous China Central Television However, the coronavirus pandemic wooden struts and sculptures were dis- The nine-story Basantapur complex under restoration in brought Nepal’s post-earthquake recon- lodged and left scattered on the ground. October 2019. struction to a sudden and grinding halt. At the request of the Nepali gov- Restoration work at the Basantapur com- ernment, China pledged 94 million yuan plex was suspended in late March when (roughly $14 million) to help restore the Nepal went into national lockdown. Basantapur complex. The project was ex- pected to last five years, from 2017 to 2022. A daunting task In the two years before work got un- In April 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earth- derway, the complex had suffered fur- quake hit the Kathmandu Valley, causing ther damage. It had gone through two widespread death and destruction and monsoons since the earthquake. “After reducing numerous priceless historical two years left unattended, three monkeys buildings to rubble. were living inside, and fleas were all over The Kathmandu Valley, comprising the place. It was a complete ruin,” ex- seven Protected Monument Zones, was plained Guo.

Rebuilding Nepal 25 NGO working to safeguard Nepal’s archi- tectural heritage. “These people are vital for restoration.” KVPT has been working in heritage restoration in Nepal since 1991. It began work on the damaged structures in Patan Durbar Square immediately after the 2015 earthquake. It also provided valuable doc- uments and advice to the Chinese team working in Kathmandu Durbar Square. Restoring the old buildings damaged in the 2015 earthquake has been a long, slow process in Nepal. It’s estimated that 90 percent of the country’s architectural heritage was impacted. With limited fund- ing and manpower, Nepal’s Department of Archaeology was in desperate need of Zhou Jianguo uses old photos as a reference for the restoration work. Yan Jingwei/CGTN help. “Certainly, we need support from in- ternational donors,” said Damodar Gau- In the early days, there was some fric- Guo. “And then, transferring them to Ne- tam, director of Nepal’s Department of tion between the Chinese and Nepali ex- pal’s Department of Archaeology for fu- Archaeology. “It’s estimated that $159 mil- perts regarding how the structure should ture protection efforts.” lion will be needed to rehabilitate all the be restored. The Chinese supported a pol- monuments affected by the earthquake.” icy of minimum intervention, while the Collective effort “I think any assistance is good,” said Nepalese wanted to completely rebuild the The Basantapur complex was the royal Ranjitkar, commenting on foreign money structure since, for them, renewal means palace of Hindu kings. It’s famous for its used to restore Nepal’s heritage. “Because, progress. With time, the Chinese view pre- delicate wood carvings, which often depict the goal is to save the heritage.” vailed. legends associated with Hinduism. According to Nepal’s Department of “They gradually accepted our con- The 2015 earthquake brought down Archaeology, as of December 2019, four cept because they see that we’re genuine- many of the complex’s wooden compo- and a half years after the earthquake, 40 ly working hard to preserve their cultural nents. Craftsmen with the skills needed to percent of the damaged monuments had heritage,” said Guo. Ultimately, a mid- restore them were few and far between. been restored. dle-way approach was agreed – keeping So, the Chinese team scouted the nearby any parts that were still reusable and mak- city of Bhaktapur, renowned for its wood- What lies ahead ing replacements for any that were lost or carvers. The restoration work at the Basanta- beyond repair. “We rely on the local carvers to re- pur complex continued into late March. Another challenge facing the Chinese pair the wood carvings,” said Guo. “The But when Nepal went into national lock- team initially was a lack of detailed refer- wood-carving skills are passed down from down, all the workers were temporarily ences, which were crucial if they were to generation to generation within their fami- laid off. reassemble the structure and its various lies. The local carvers just know where and Just before the lockdown, the three parts precisely as they had been. They how to carve their gods.” golden pinnacles were re-erected on top sought out local photographers, asking Sanukaji Shakya has been a woodcarv- of the nine-story Basantapur Tower. This them for any old photos they might have er for 20 years. He joined the Basantapur signaled that the restoration work was of the complex, and consulted local con- restoration work in May 2018, repairing nearing completion. servation experts to see if they had any broken wooden struts and other compo- One Chinese expert has remained in unpublished reference materials. nents. While carving, he pays particular Kathmandu to conduct regular safety “In traditional Nepali architecture, all attention to the different facial expres- checks at the site. The rest of the team is the wooden pieces are hand-made,” said sions of the gods. He tries to establish staying in Beijing, waiting to return to the Zhou Jianguo, who, as someone with con- a resonance with his subjects in order to city of temples to wrap up the restoration siderable experience of restoring famous make his work more real. “We work in work once Nepal brings the pandemic un- temples in Tibet, is the site supervisor for our traditional way,” said Shakya. “I’m der control. Although it’s uncertain when the Basantapur restoration. “We spent very happy that the Chinese respect our that will be, they remain hopeful that the a year, numbering all the fallen parts we opinion.” project can be completed on schedule in could retrieve and trying to assemble them “They’re living heritage,” said Rohit 2022. piece by piece to get the jigsaw right.” Ranjitkar, country director of the Kath- “We’re also thinking about digitalizing mandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT), From China Global Television Network (CGTN) – the reference materials we’ve got,” said the Valley’s only remaining international December 19, 2020

26 Rebuilding Nepal From the partners BP Highway handed over to Nepal after reconstruction

Photos: myrepublica.com Newly-renovated BP Highway (above); Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Basant Kumar Nemwang inaugurating the highway in a virtual program (below).

The Government of Japan has offi- cially handed over the BP Highway to Ne- pal after completing the reconstruction of the road segment which was damaged by the earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015. Through a virtual program organized at the Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport on January 28, Japan hand- ed over the rebuilt infrastructure to the Government of Nepal. Japan has com- pleted the reconstruction work in around 18 months from the date of commence- ment. BP Highway offers one of the short- est land routes connecting the capital to eastern Nepal. Japan started work for cal Infrastructure and Transport Basant added that Japan will be supporting Nepal construction of the 160 km long road Kumar Nemwang said since long Japan in achieving development goals. stretch in 1996 and completed it in March has been providing its value assistance to After the earthquake damaged the 2015. The highway was badly damaged at Nepal mainly in the areas like sanitation, highway, Japanese contractor Hazama five locations of the stretch in just two education, peace establishment and agri- Ando Corporation started the reconstruc- months after it was handed over to the culture, among others. tion work on July 3, 2019. The contractor Nepali authorities. Ambassador of Japan to Nepal had used almost all construction materials In a remote inauguration program of Masamichi Saigo said both the countries and related technical equipment imported the rebuilt highway, Minister for Physi- have been in a friendly relationship. He from Japan.

Rebuilding Nepal 27 From the press

A massive landslide swept away several houses in Lidi of ward no. 2 of Jugal Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchowk. Kathmandu Post Grant to aid rebuilding of monsoon-damaged houses Houses to be built using the post-earthquake reconstruction model under which grants are provided in instalments

Chandan Kumar Mandal pared,” Janardan Gautam, spokesperson the landslide in Durlung, Parbat that took for National Disaster Risk Reduction and place on the same day. The beneficiaries Kathmandu: Private houses damaged Management Authority, told the Post. will get financial support in three instal- beyond repair by monsoon-related disas- According to the procedures, fami- ments. ters last year will be built under a modal- lies across 77 districts that have lost their Last year’s monsoon was said to be ity similar to the one adopted to rebuild houses to monsoon-related disasters will the deadliest in many years in terms of houses lost to the devastating 2015 earth- be eligible for government grants. “The loss of lives. In the four months between quake, officials said. modality will be similar to the one we June 12, 2020 and October 16, 2020, 367 Reconstruction of homes ravaged by adopted to rebuild private housing in the died, 100 others went missing and 325 monsoon-induced disasters such as land- aftermath of the 2015 earthquake,” add- suffered injuries due to various mon- slides and floods will soon be implement- ed Gautam. soon-induced disasters, according to of- ed as a committee led by the Minister for Families that lost their houses to di- ficial figures. As many as 293 people died Home Affairs has approved it. sasters after June 12, when the monsoon due to landslides, followed by 39 due “Working procedures to rebuild pri- entered the country, will be eligible to to floods and 35 due to lightning in the vate houses completely damaged by apply for a grant to rebuild their house. same period. monsoon-induced disaster has been pre- This includes the houses damaged since The authority’s another set of data on

28 Rebuilding Nepal get Rs. 500,000 in grants, followed by Rs. 400,000 for hilly region beneficiaries and Rs. 300,000 for Tarai districts. City Library to be All three tiers of the government will be responsible to allocate the reconstruc- tion budget to affected families. While established at metropolitan and sub-metropolitan bod- ies will cover 20 percent of the total bud- Durbar High School get, municipalities will provide 15 percent and rural municipalities will contribute 10 percent. Likewise, 30 percent of the cost will be borne by the respective provincial governments, and the remaining will come from the central government. “We will prescribe some models of housing the beneficiaries can choose from. Like the houses built under gov- The Kathmandu Metropolitan ernment grants under the earthquake re- City (KMC) has decided to bring construction program, these new houses City Library into operation at the should also be landslide and flood resis- premises of Durbar High School. tant,” said Gautam. “Technicians will in- The KMC has been making spect the construction work and approve necessary preparation to bring the the construction plan.” library into operation at the newly Verified beneficiaries will get Rs. constructed building of Durbar 50,000 soon after signing the reconstruc- High School. It has allocated Rs tion agreement. As the second tranche, 5 million in the current fiscal year beneficiaries from the mountain districts for the same. Chief of Education will get Rs. 250,000 whereas those from Department at the KMC Namraj the hill districts and the Tarai region will Dhakal said that the library would receive Rs. 200,000 and Rs. 150,000 after be modern and attractive where all A massive landslide swept away several houses in Lidi of ward no. 2 of Jugal Rural Municipality of Sindhupalchowk. the technicians finish their inspection. types of books would be kept. losses due to various disasters from April “Since construction costs are high- The library would be brought 13, 2020 till present, shows that property er in the mountains, beneficiaries in the into operation within next two worth over Rs50 million was lost to land- mountains will receive a bigger grant months if all the activities would slides and assets worth Rs69 million to compared to their counterparts in the move ahead as per the plan. Works floods. hills and the Tarai,” said Gautam. have already been forwarded with However, the government does not The remaining amount will be re- coordination between KMC-27 have data on the number of private hous- leased after the construction is complet- and School Management Commit- es damaged by monsoon-induced disas- ed and technicians verify the same. How- tee for the same. ters. ever, authorities do not have a timeline It is believed that the library According to Gautam, the district for the construction process even as di- would be more useful to teachers disaster management committees in the saster-hit communities await government and students of 91 community respective districts have gathered pre- response for rehabilitation for several and 541 institutional schools of liminary statistics on houses damaged by months. KMC area. Member of Ward no. monsoon-related catastrophes. In Kailali, nearly 100 landslide sur- 27 of KMC Paribeshman Bajra- “The district-level committees have viving families have moved to the Tarai charya said that it would be great initial estimates on houses that require plains and set up temporary camps inside help from the modern library at rebuilding. As the working procedures a community forest. a time when there is no physical came out only recently, the list of ben- “Once the district-level authorities presence of students in schools eficiaries needs to be finalized,” said finalize the list of eligible beneficiaries, due to coronavirus pandemic. Gautam. “Only when the district level government bodies concerned will start The Library management would authorities have finalized and verified the distributing installments. We are waiting provide password to the member beneficiaries’ list, will we be able to tell for the budget and the list of beneficia- of the library and he/she can use the total number of houses which need ries,” said Gautam. “Our aim is to rebuild the facility through internet from to be rebuilt.” all the houses during the pre-monsoon anywhere. As per the guidelines, beneficiaries period.” nepalnews.com – December 3, 2020 selected in the mountainous districts will The Kathmandu Post – January 30, 2021

Rebuilding Nepal 29 From the press Reconstruction of 465 heritage sites over

The Tripureswar Mahadev temple under-construction. The reconstruction has now reached a final stage. NRA The National Reconstruction Au- icance within the Narayanhiti Museum struction of 6,085 (81 per cent) schools thority has claimed significant progress in area. The masterplan for integrated Tund- has been completed while 1,468 (19 per restoring cultural and archaeological heri- hikhel, democratic museum, Narayanhiti cent) schools are currently under-con- tage sites that were damaged or destroyed Museum, Gorkha Durbar, Nuwakot struction. in the 2015 earthquakes and subsequent Durbar and seven other archaeological The reconstruction of schools is set aftershocks. heritage sites are in the approval stage, af- to be completed within this fiscal. According to a report recently re- ter which these sites will be developed,” As for health institutions, out of 1,197 leased by the NRA, out of 920 sites, re- it said. health centres, the reconstruction of 698 construction of 465 sites has been com- The NRA said reconstruction of heri- health centres has been completed while pleted while the remaining sites are in the tage sites was relatively complex and chal- the rest will be completed within this fis- final stages of construction. lenging. cal year. Reconstruction of the major monu- Proper consideration had to be given “We have made more than 90 per cent ment Ranipokhari has been completed to competent human resources, building progress in the reconstruction of private and work is progressing on the 20th floor materials, preservation of religious and houses. of Dharahara and two more floors that cultural aspects, agreement with local Out of 796,245 beneficiaries who are expected to be completed soon. communities, universal standards on her- have signed agreement for the govern- Similarly, work is under way at the itage, the time required for wood artistry ment grant, 556,487 (70 per cent) bene- north, south and eastern facades of the and sculpting. ficiaries have already built their houses main administrative building of Singha There has been some progress in the while 168,083 (21 per cent) beneficiaries Durbar as the government is planning reconstruction of monasteries as well. are constructing their houses,” the NRA to shift the Office of the Prime Minis- Out of 1,320 damaged-monasteries, 895 said. ter and the Council of Ministers there by need to be reconstructed while 402 need The total cost required for reconstruc- mid-February. to be repaired. tion and rehabilitation, as per the five-year “Reconstruction and retrofitting is in Out of these 402 that need to be re- plan, is Rs 488 billion. Out of this, Rs 339 full swing at Babarmahal, Kesharmahal, paired, 294 have been completed while billion has been spent through the Gov- Bal Mandir and Ranoddwip Durbar and 108 are being repaired. ernment of Nepal and donors. other durbars of archaeological signif- Similarly, out of 7,553 schools, recon- The Himalayan Times – January 11, 2021

30 Rebuilding Nepal From the press Reconstruction of quake-damaged school buildings near completion The finished buildings will have all necessary infrastructures to provide a better learning environment for children, authorities say.

Photo courtesy: Ramchandra Basnet People’s representatives said that both students and teachers are elated by the reconstruction of school buildings.

Anish Tiwari has already been completed. school buildings come with drinking wa- Various NGOs and INGOs have pro- ter facilities and toilets. Sindhupalchowk:  The reconstruction vided assistance for the rebuilding of the “Although 90 percent of school build- of school buildings that were ravaged by damaged school buildings, especially in ings damaged by the quake have been the Gorkha earthquake and its powerful the remote villages in the district. Stake- erected now. There are complaints from aftershocks in 2015 is the final phase in holders expect the quality of education to some schools regarding shortages of Sindhupalchok, the district worst hit by improve with the availability of well-fa- classrooms,” said Krishna Subedi, chief at the disaster. cilitated physical infrastructures in rural the District Education Development and Around 90 percent of school build- villages. Coordination Unit. ings that were damaged by the quake According to the data available at the The District Education Development have been reconstructed as of now with office of the district project implementa- and Coordination Unit plans to address the support of government authorities tion unit, as many as 212 school buildings the issue by coordinating with three mu- and various non-governmental organi- have been reconstructed with the support nicipalities and nine rural municipalities in zations. According to the district project of non-governmental organizations while the district. implementation unit of the National Re- the remaining buildings were rebuilt with “We will launch special campaigns to construction Authority, 445 buildings of the help of government authorities. provide quality education in urban centers a total of 447 community schools were “The lockdown enforced amid fears as well as remote villages of the district,” destroyed by the earthquake. of Covid-19 affected the reconstruction said Subedi. “The reconstruction of 42 school work for some months. But the work has People’s representatives said that both buildings is now almost complete while picked up pace now,” said Khadka. “We students and teachers are elated by the works on 10 school buildings have been could not disburse the final tranche of the reconstruction of school buildings. Ban- halted due to a lack of suitable land,” said reconstruction aid to some schools where shalal Tamang, chairman of Indrawati Yam Bahadur Khadka, chief at the district works were halted due to Covid-19 fears. Rural Municipality and also the general project implementation unit (education). We will release the budget soon.” secretary of Rural Municipal Association, “Discussions are underway with the au- A total of 3,620 classrooms of 445 said, “Local units in Sindhupalchok have thorities concerned to manage suitable community schools in the district were started taking initiations to uplift the stan- land plots and initiate the rebuilding of damaged by the 2015 earthquakes. dard of education. We plan to add nec- the school buildings soon.” According to the District Education essary infrastructures to support quality According to Khadka, the reconstruc- Development and Coordination Unit in education.” tion of other damaged school buildings Sindhupalchok, the newly constructed The Kathmandu Post – January 12, 2021

Rebuilding Nepal 31 From the press

Thuman village gets a new look

Text and Photos: Balram Ghimire the April 2015 earthquake. It now wears pletely changed now with some people a new and beautiful look. These hous- even using zinc sheets as roofs and has There used to be houses with walls es have been constructed without using glasses on windows. stacked with stones and wooden roofs bricks, stones, cement or mud. This Tamang village has a rich cultur- in Thuman village in Ward no. 1 of Go- The previous stone houses had wood- al heritage and is situated on the Tamang saikunda Rural Municipality. The villagers, en plaques on the roof which they called pathway developed recently as heritage however, decided to construct all-wood- ‘Pangling’. There were traditional houses trekking route. en structures while reconstructing after then. But the look of the village has com- Kantipur – January 17, 2021

32 Rebuilding Nepal nra update

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) organized a fam trip for photojournalists on December 24 to provide them Photojournalists opportunities to take photographs of its on-going reconstruc- tion works. The program was organized to mark the completion of the NRA’s five years of establishment. take photos from About three dozen photojournalists and journalists went up the 20th floor of Dharahara and took photographs. Though the reconstruction of Dharahara area is going on in full swing, the Covid-19 pandemic has further delayed the 20th floor of Dharahara construction works.

Rebuilding Nepal 33 nra update Earthquake Safety Day Stress on construction of earthquake-resilient structures

The 23rd National Earthquake Safety Day was observed amidst a function in Bhaktapur on January 15. The speakers at the function stressed on constructing earthquake-resilient structures, as it is the physical structures that cause loss of lives during earthquakes. At the function held in Bode of Mad- hyapur Thimi Municipality, speakers also stressed on preparing ourselves to deal with disasters besides constructing earthquake-re- silient structures. The Earthquake Safety Day is organized every year to create awareness on various as- pects of earthquake and encourage people to be prepared and build earthquake-resilient structures. This year’s theme was “Earthquake safety during multi-hazard disasters; Protec- tion of lives and property together.” Addressing the function, Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa stressed on the need to build strong structures as per the building code. “We can reduce the losses in case of di- sasters by building earthquake-resilient struc- tures.” Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) informed that the private houses, schools, health insti- tutions, cultural heritages and public buildings damaged in the April 2015 earthquake have been reconstructed stronger and in a sustain- able manner. The reconstruction efforts of the gov- ernment, that began on January 15 five years ago, will be an important lesson learnt to build earthquake-resilient structures to save people’s lives in case of earthquakes, CEO Gyewali said. Chief Executive of the National Disas- ter Risk Reduction and Management Author- ity (NDRRMA) Anil Pokharel stressed on the need to focus on awareness and preparations to minimize the impact of multi-hazard disas- ters, including earthquake. A two-day national symposium and digital display to highlight earthquake safe- Photos: NRA ty have been organized to mark the Earth- Home Minister Ram Bahadur Thapa (top) and NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali (above) addressing an earthquake safety quake Safety Day. day program in Bhaktapur.

34 Rebuilding Nepal nra update From page 19 ●● Dual receipt of tranche by some benefi- ciaries from both the NGO and NRA in the beginning phase due to inability of Foundation stones laid clear allocation of scope and responsibil- ity and currently the return made addi- tionally managed, for three schools in Palpa ●● Non-effective coordinated monitoring of NGOs, by District Level Project Im- plementation Unit for the monitoring of the implementation of trilateral agree- ment between NGO, Central Level Proj- ect Implementation Unit and the NRA.

Solutions of the Problems ●● Progress report to be received upon work completion recommendation or verification from local level and district project implementation units, ●● Effective monitoring, control and guid- ance to be done in an effective manner in the real implementation of approved program budget, time and aim by the NGOs in a mutually coordinated man- ner by NRA, Central Level Project Im- plementation Units and District Level Project Implementation Units, ●● To match the initially approved proposal with the progress report and work com- NRA pletion report submitted by NGOs and NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali laid the foundation stone for the reconstruction of a nine-room building of Shree Adharbhut Madhyamik Vidhyalay in Ward no. 9 of Rampur Municipality on December 14. to include the data derived from that in the information system, ●● Effective instructions to be provided Foundation stones were laid for have 12 rooms, will be reconstructed from the Government’s side for time- the reconstruction of three schools to at the cost of Rs. 21.9 million. About ly completion of approved tasks for be built in Palpa with loan assistance 350 students are currently enrolled in NGOs due to various reasons, from the Saudi Fund for Develop- this school. ●● To submit the work done by NGOs, in- ment Project. Similarly, the foundation stone has formation system database, along with Chief Executive officer of the been laid for the reconstruction of the recommendations from the local National Reconstruction Authority Shree Bhawani Madhyamik Vidhyalay level on work completion in the progress (NRA) Sushil Gyewali laid the foun- in Ward no. 5 of Ribdikot Rural Mu- report and to make it factual and objec- dation stone for the reconstruction of nicipality. CEO Gyewali and Member tified, a nine-room building of Shree Adhar- of the Federal Parliament from Palpa ●● To prepare actual details regarding ap- bhut Madhyamik Vidhyalay in Ward constituency no. 2 Som Prasad Pan- proval aim and real beneficiaries as per no. 9 of Rampur Municipality on De- dey jointly laid the foundation stone the agreement entered with NRA, cember 14. amidst a function. ●● To carry out effective monitoring one by The contracting company New Project Director of the Central one in an effective manner from NRA Technical has been granted the con- Level Project Implementation Unit and line agencies. tract for Rs. 20.9 million to construct (Education) Ramsharan Sapkota, the school building with toilets and Deputy Director Dr. Yubaraj Poudel At the End drinking water facilities. About 440 and Chief of District Level Project With the present experience, we can students are currently studying in this Implementation Unit (Education) believe that the national and international school. Laxman Devkota were present during non-governmental organizations (I/NGOs) CEO Gyewali also laid the foun- these functions. would be able to work with more impact in dation stone for the reconstruction of Altogether, four school buildings a transparent manner by reaching out to the Shree Nabadurga Madhyamik Vidhya- are being reconstructed in Palpa under vulnerable and target groups and remote ar- lay in Ward no. 6 of the same munici- the assistance from the Saudi Fund for eas in future incidents of natural disasters. pality. The school building, which will Development Project. (Under Secretary, National Reconstruction Authority)

Rebuilding Nepal 35 nra update Stone paved road in Kavre settlement handed over

A newly-constructed stone paved Speaking at the function, CEO Gye- road in Pipalchaur Model Village of Ward wali suggested the local community to no. 2 of Namobuddha Municipality has run home stay facilities by keeping intact been handed over to the local community. the originality of the traditional village. Chief Executive Officer of the Na- The NRA has given Rs. 13.2 million Development of the Bagmati Civilization tional Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and the locals contributed labor worth Rs. Nabaraj Pyakurel praised the locals’ par- Sushil Gyewali handed over the road at 3.4 million to build this 500 meters long ticipation in constructing this attractive the model village, which was constructed and 20 feet wide stone paved thoroughfare. thoroughfare. with assistance from the NRA, amidst a Former head of the NRA’s Cen- Chair of the Model Village Users’ function held on January 1. There are 80 tral Level Project Implementation Unit Committee Mohan Das Shrestha thanked households of the Newar community in (Building) and Project Director of the the NRA for providing support to im- this model village. High Powered Committee for Integrated prove the historic integrated settlement.

Photos: NRA Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority Sushil Gyewali inaugurated a newly-reconstructed Khanigaun Health Post in Bagnaskali-7 of Palpa and handed over to the concerned rural municipality on December 17. The health post with birthing center facilities has been built in 145 square meters at the cost of Rs. 13.6 million.

36 Rebuilding Nepal nra update Orientation held on resilient reconstruction and development

The Earthquake Housing Recon- struction Project (EHRP) of the Na- tional Reconstruction Authority (NRA) conducted orientation program for local governments on resilient reconstruction and development and disaster risk reduc- tion and management. The inaugural program was attended by Chiefs, Deputy Chiefs, Chief Admin- istration Officer, Coordinator of District Disaster Management Committee and government officials of Kavrepalan- chowk district which started in Dhulikhel on January 10. The Project aims to provide this ori- entation to all the people’s representa- NRA tives and government officials of all the (From left to right) NRA Executive Member Bishnu Bahadur Bhandari and Hari Ram Parajuli, Mayor of Dhulikhel 32 districts affected by the April 2015 Ashok Kumar Byanju, NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali and Chief Executive Anil Pokharel. earthquake. Inaugurating the orientation pro- while undertaking reconstruction works. Byanju said that this program has special gram, Chief Executive Officer of the Chief Executive of the National Di- significance as it focuses on the capacity NRA Sushil Gyewali said that this orien- saster Risk Reduction and Management building of local governments in resilient tation was held for local governments as Authority (NDRRMA) Anil Pokharel reconstruction and development. they will have important role in building said that the orientation would be use- NRA Executive Committee members and development of resilient structures ful to lead local governments towards Dr. Bishnu Bahadur Bhandari and Dr. and society. disaster risk reduction under the ‘Sendai Hariram Parajuli were present at the inau- He said that the government has made Framework’ agreed by Nepal. gural ceremony chaired by Bharat Prasad enough efforts to encourage participation Chairperson of Municipal Associ- Aryal, Project Director of the EHRP and of local governments, handover responsi- ation of Nepal (MuAN) and Mayor of moderated by Manohar Ghimire, Deputy bilities to them and enhance their capacity Dhulikhel Municipality Ashok Kumar Spokesperson of the NRA. Police post reconstructed in Rupse Bhanjyang of Palpa

Photos: NRA Chief Executive Officer of the National Reconstruction Authority Sushil Gyewali inaugurated a reconstructed police post in Rupse Bhanjyang of Palpa on December 14. The police post with office, barrack, kitchen and toilets were reconstructed at the cost of Rs. 12,736,156 including AT.V

Rebuilding Nepal 37 nra update Two newly-reconstructed schools inaugurated in Palpa

NRA Newly-reconstructed building of Shree Gyanmala Madhyamik Bidhyalaya of Chandisthan (above). NRA CEO Sushil Gyewali Inaugurating the School (top right). Member of the Federal Parliament Som Prasad Pandey inaugurating Shree Bhairav Janta Madhyamik Bidhyalaya (below right).

The two newly-reconstructed school tional Reconstruction Authority (NRA) the newly-reconstructed buildings will buildings have been inaugurated here Sushil Gyewali and Member of the Feder- not only provide proper facilities to run amidst separate functions held in Decem- al Parliament from Palpa constituency no. the schools but would also help improve ber. Buildings of Shree Bhairab Janata 2 Som Prasad Pandey jointly inaugurated the educational standard of these schools. Madhyamik Vidhyalay of Ribdikot Rural these school buildings. Parliamentarian Pandey requested the Municipality and Shree Gyanmala Mad- Both these buildings have been re- concerned school management to prop- hyamik Vidhyalay of Chandisthan were constructed at the cost of Rs. 6.9 million erly utilize the facilities and said that he inaugurated. each. would take all necessary initiatives to pro- Chief Executive Officer of the Na- CEO Gyewali expressed hope that vide better facilities for the schools.

Photos: NRA The library building at the premises of Lamjung Campus, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Tribhuvan University has been reconstructed in Sundarbazaar, Lamjung. TU Vice Chancellor Professor Dharmakanta Banskota inaugurated the newly-reconstructed library building amidst a function in December.

38 Rebuilding Nepal Government of Nepal National Reconstruction Authority Singh Durbar, Kathmandu

Notice of deadline to private housing reconstruction and retrofitting beneficiaries

1. Beneficiaries who are eligible for reconstruction and retrofitting grant are requested to sign the grant agreement by 15 December 2020 and receive first tranche by 30 December 2020. 2. Beneficiaries who have received the first tranche must start their housing reconstruction and submit an application to the concerned local government for verification process by 12 February 2021. 3. All reconstruction and retrofitting beneficiaries must submit an application for verification process to the concerned local government by 14 May 2021 to access third or the final tranche. For more information on this, beneficiaries can contact the National Reconstruction Authority or the concerned District Level Project Implementation Units. National Reconstruction Authority Singh Durbar, Kathmandu Toll free no. 1660-01-72000, 9801572111 www.nra.gov.np

Rebuilding Nepal 39 nra on the spot

Dipak Sapkota Retrofitting makes Subedi couple’s house strong

Dipak Sapkota the field of retrofitting and was looking earthquake-resilient. The government’s to support those who are financially weak grant of Rs. 100,000 was sufficient for The house of Chhabilal Subedi and and provide them training in Kaski. them to purchase necessary construction his wife Narayani Subedi of Harbot in The district staffs of the NRA rec- materials. Ward no. 21 of Pokhara Metropolitan ommended Subedi couple to get them There are 949 retrofitting benefi- City was partially damaged in the April enrolled in the program. Build Change ciaries in Kaski, out of which 559 have 2015 earthquake. They did not want to provided construction workers and Sub- entered into an agreement and have re- demolish the house and reconstruct it edi couple who had received the first ceived the first tranche, according to altogether. And, more importantly, they tranche arranged necessary construction Navaraj Sharma, Chief of District Lev- did not have funds to retrofit the house material required for retrofitting. They el Project Implementation Unit (Grant either. even arranged food and accommodation Management and Local Infrastructure). When a team from the National Re- for the construction workers. Sharma believes that the decision construction Authority (NRA) visited his Narayani Subedi is visibly elated to of Subedi couple to retrofit their house house, it recommended that the Subedi have her house retrofitted and made it would inspire other retrofitting benefi- couple’s house can be retrofitted and stronger. “We had to live in terror due to ciaries. “We have conducted model pro- make it safer to live. lack of money,” she said. “The house has gram to convey the message to retrofit- But the NRA team was in a state of now become strong with the help of the ting beneficiaries that the house becomes dilemma for a long time due to unavail- NRA and Build Change. We are relieved.” strong through retrofitting too in addi- ability of necessary fund. Then came in It took only 20 days to retrofit their tion to providing training to construction the ‘Build Change’ that was working in house in its original form and make it workers,” he said.

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NRA is also publishing a Nepali bi-monthly ‘Punarnirman’. You can obtain the copies from the NRA office. Employees of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City cleaning algae in newly-reconstructed Ranipokhari. Kantipur

For more information:

National Reconstruction Authority Singh Durbar, Kathmandu Ph: 01-4211482, 01-4211465 | Fax: 01-4211473 Helpline: 1660-01-72000 (NTC) | 9801572111 (NCell) Mail: [email protected] www.nra.gov.np

National Reconstruction Authority

@NRANepal

Editorial Team: Gopal Prasad Aryal (Joint Secretary), Manohar Ghimire (Under Secretary), Kul Prakash Neupane (Statistics Officer) Dipak Sapkota, Editorial Advisor: Kosmos Biswokarma

Our mailing address: [email protected] | [email protected]

This news magazine is published with support from the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs, NDI/USAID