Japan and UNDP collaborate to advance Climate Smart Agriculture and build Resilient Communities in Jajarkot

Two types of polyhouses – a naturally ventilated and a nursery polyhouse with misting – were inaugurated by the Government of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Ward 7 of Nalgad Municipality, Karnali Province.

This area was among those affected by the earthquake in November 2023.

The multi-purpose nursery with misting will grow saplings of high value crops such as vegetables, fruit, forage, and fodder for community members. These polyhouses employ drip irrigation and mist irrigation which make optimum use of water, conserve water usage, decrease labour and increase agricultural productivity. The nursery will directly benefit 25 members of the farmers’ group and other local farmers in the community.

The naturally ventilated polyhouse demonstrates the benefits of climate smart agriculture interventions, enabling off-seasonal high value vegetable production.

In addition to this, the first five, out of 900, metallic improved cooking stoves and 6 orchard management tools were handed over to the local farmers, who are impacted by the earthquakes, to support their livelihood. Through ‘Enhancing Human Security Through Local Climate Action’ project 48 polyhouses have been supported, which will benefit over 40 households.

Addressing the handover event, deputy chief of mission of the Embassy of Japan Takahiro Tamura said, "I expect that the agricultural and energy equipment handed over today will be used for a long time by the people in this region, and I believe that this project will contribute to strengthening human security through a comprehensive approach that includes gender equality, disability, and social inclusion.”

Also expressing his condolences to all those affected by the earthquake, he elaborated, “I am heartened to hear that the capacity built through this project was very helpful during the Jajarkot earthquake response, as the trained volunteers were mobilised and helped to provide first aid, search and rescue and shelter support. Also, I am glad to know that the energy and agriculture support through this project is helping the communities to bounce back for better.”

He added that the project will further strengthen the relationship between Japan and Nepal as well as the friendship between people of the two countries.

Meanwhile, deputy resident representative of UNDP, Julien Chevillard, on the occasion,  said that considering the high vulnerability, Karnali is a priority province of UNDP, and a number of projects ranging from governance to earthquake preparedness and response are being implemented based on the Leave No One Behind principle. 

Thanking the Government of Japan, he added, "Through this partnership, we contribute to Nepal's ongoing efforts to mitigate the impact of climate change, rehabilitate post-earthquake, and enhance the livelihoods of the affected community."

Thanking the Government of Japan and UNDP, Mayor of Nalgad Municipality Dambar Bahadur Rawat, emphasised that agriculture is the primary livelihood for Nalgad residents, and the provision of agricultural equipment support has assisted the affected community in sustaining their livelihoods post-earthquake. "We seek further assistance in the second phase of this programme, which can offer technical and financial support for recovery and livelihood restoration.”

Chair of Barekot Rural Municipality, Bir Bahadur Giri, on the occasion, emphasised that climate change is a global concern, and here in Karnali Province, "we are among the first to feel its effects," he said, adding that it is crucial to empower community and raise awareness about the impacts of climate change, prompting local initiatives to mitigate these effects. "We deeply appreciate the support from the Government of Japan and UNDP during these challenging times and hope for continued collaboration in the future."

In Nepal, Karnali province is among the most remote provinces in Nepal. The Human Development Index (HDI) for Jajarkot District, in Karnali Province, stands at 0.393, falling below the national average of 0.587.

Compounding these issues is the district’s vulnerability to natural hazard induced disasters, particularly floods and landslides induced by rainfall and earthquake posing additional threats to the well-being of its residents.

In October 2022, Karnali Province experienced a severe flood and landslide, resulting in numerous casualties. The impact of climate change is exacerbating the already challenging situation in Jajarkot after the earthquake. Disasters and poverty are mutually reinforcing, thus creating a cycle of vulnerability and disaster.

The joint field visit reaffirms the commitment of the Embassy of Japan and UNDP to fulfilling the Climate Promise, a shared commitment to accelerate climate action and achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement.

By investing in projects like this one, Japan and UNDP are working together to build climate-resilient communities and mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change.

The ‘Enhancing Human Security through Local Climate Action (EHSLCA)’ project, funded by the Government of Japan, aims to improve human security through local climate action. The project, from

March 2023 till December 2024, includes key components on energy solutions, adaptive agriculture, infrastructure for risk reduction, instrumentation for improving early warning and capacity building.

Through the project, over 40 community members were trained in search and rescue in the months of September/October 2023 in Nalgad Municipality and Barekot Rural Municipality, right before the earthquake of November 3. 

These trained volunteers provided crucial support in immediate response during the earthquake. Furthermore, the project is leveraged support to the earthquake affected communities – those affected by the Western Nepal Earthquake of November 3, 2023 - through energy solutions for early recovery in Jajarkot and West Rukum Districts.

Climate Promise supports 120 countries – including 40 least developed countries, 28 small island developing states, and 14 high emitters – to enhance their Nationally Determined Contributions under the global Paris Agreement. Delivered in collaboration with a wide variety of partners, it is the world’s largest offer of support for the enhancement of climate pledges.

Some 68,000 children affected by earthquake still need urgent assistance : UNICEF

After 100 days of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in western Nepal (November 3, 2023), UNICEF is calling for continued support for 68,000 children and their families in the affected areas and appealing for $14.7 million in funding to help rebuild the lives of the affected children.  

The earthquake, with its epicentre in Jajarkot District of Karnali Province, killed 154 people and injured 366. Half the dead, 81, were children. The earthquake also damaged homes, schools, health facilities and water supply infrastructure, which disrupted critical services for children.  Around 200,000 people, including 68,000 children, many of whom spent a cold winter in temporary shelters, still need humanitarian assistance to rebuild their lives. 

“Three months on, following a harsh winter, thousands of children affected by the destructive earthquake in western Nepal continue to face daily hardships," UNICEF representative to Nepal Alice Akunga said. 

"They are still dealing with the trauma of losing loved ones. Their development is at risk as they lost their belongings, homes and schools, among others” Akunga said, adding that even as temperatures rise, the needs are still high as children require nutritious food, clean water, education and shelter. "One of the best ways to rebuild children’s lives and restore a sense of normalcy is to get them back to school and learning, so that they can play with their friends, learn and heal.”

Immediately after the earthquake, UNICEF was on the ground with the government and partners to provide children and their families with life-saving supplies such as tarpaulins, blankets, medical tents, recreational and educational kits, and hygiene materials.

The earthquake damaged 898 school buildings (294 fully damaged, 604 partially damaged), impacting education of around 134,000 school-aged children. Out of these, over 17,000 children have gone back to school, thanks to 223 temporary learning centres set up by UNICEF with support of the development partners.

In addition, transitional learning centres, which can withstand extreme weather conditions, are being set up so that children can continue their education until school buildings are fully repaired.

Furthermore, UNICEF, working with local governments and partners, also helped to repair 565 damaged toilets and construct 251 temporary toilets. Support was also provided for the government’s campaign to vaccinate children against deadly diseases such as measles, rubella and typhoid.     

But much more needs to be done to support children and their families. So far only 7 per cent of UNICEF’s $15.7 million appeal has been funded, a large proportion of which includes financing from the UNICEF Global Humanitarian Thematic Fund, the most flexible form of funding allowing for rapid and strategic responses by UNICEF to humanitarian crises, as well as support from UNICEF National Committees.

UNICEF is calling for $14.7 million in additional funding to continue providing life-saving support to children.

"UNICEF thanks all our donors and supporters who have provided the much-needed resources. However, additional efforts are required to help restore lives and give children hope for the future,” added Akunga. “UNICEF is committed to working with the Government of Nepal, partners and donors to help children and young people in desperate need of support. We are calling for investment from donors and partners so that we can continue to provide life-saving supplies and services to help children survive and thrive."

Two elderly men succumb to cold in makeshift shelters in Jajarkot

As the government's negligence reached the pick, additional two quake-hit elderly men died of cold today.

"Two elderly people living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters in Jajarkot passed away due to cold weather today," confirmed Barekot Rural Municipality chairperson Bir Bahadur Gurung. 

The deceased have been identified as Dhuleshwar Karki of Bheri Municipality-2 and Narendra Bahadur Singh of Jiri in Barekot Rural Municipality-4. Both were living in makeshift shelters after their homes were damaged by the earthquake.

According to Gurung, both Karki and Singh were asthma patients, and the cold weather aggravated their health.

More than 34,000 people in Jajarkot are living in makeshift tarpaulin shelters as the earthquake has rendered their houses inhabitable, with the elderly, children, and new mothers being the most affected.

Despite huge relief materials and hefty cash assistance from inside and out of the country, the governments failed to manage the distribution of relief materials, especially in the cold season.

According to the chief district officer (CDO) of Jajarkot Suresh Sunar, children, new mothers, chronically ill, and the elderly living in makeshift shelters are more affected. "Two chronic patients living in makeshift shelters died due to cold in Nalgad-4 last week," he said, claiming that they are taking needful initiatives to manage the situation. But the death of citizens exposed their inefficiency and negligence towards the people. 

The government has already collected a fund of Rs 152.80 million for helping the victims of the Jajarkot earthquake.

According to spokesperson at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministries (OPMCM) Narayan Prasad Bhatta, the amount has been collected in the Prime Minister Natural Disaster Relief Fund. Though, the government claimed to utilise the amount for supporting the victims of the Jajarkot earthquake that hit the area two weeks ago, people are suffering, especially due to cold weather, and failed to provide respite to the quake-affected.

The tremor had claimed 153 lives and left hundreds of others injured and homeless.

EU to provide Nepal Rs 289 million in humanitarian aid

The European Union (EU) is providing approved a €2 million (approximately Rs 289 million) aid package for the earthquake-affected people in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts.

“Following the earthquake that struck Nepal earlier this month, the EU has approved a €2 million aid package to bring relief to the most affected people, according to a press note issued by the EU Brussels. "The EU approved the aid package to provide shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, and healthcare, among other services to the survivors of the recent Jajarkot earthquake."

The support package includes €600,000 (Rs 86 million) financial aid for humanitarian partners already providing assistance in affected areas, the press note reads, adding that, in addition, €200,000 (Rs 28 million) has been allocated to the Nepal Red Cross Society, via the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). "The EU will also mobilise in-kind assistance from its European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC), worth €1.2 million (Rs 173 million), which will include tents and winterisation kits that will be sent from the EU’s stockpile in Kuala Lumpur, to address the crucial shelter needs of vulnerable families whose homes were destroyed."

The latest funding comes in addition to the €2 million (Rs 289 million) already allocated to Nepal at the beginning of this year, with the goal of responding to natural hazards and strengthening disaster preparedness.

Meanwhile, EU Commissioner for Crisis Management Janez Lenarcic said that, like in previous disasters, the EU remains ready to help those most in need.

“This new aid package will provide shelter to people that have lost their homes and prepare them to face the upcoming winter, while helping with other pressing needs,” he said.

This new funding comes in addition to the already allocated to Nepal at the start of this year, with the goal of responding to natural hazards and to strengthen disaster preparedness, the EU note reads.

An earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale hit the hilly districts of Karnali Province -- Jajarkot and Rukum West -- leaving 153 dead and 363 others injured.

Japan supports library construction in Sunsari

Japan has assisted construction of an earthquake-resistant library as part of a project under the Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects schemes.

The project is being implemented by Japanese NGO Shanti Volunteer Association, according to a press note issued by the Japanese Embassy in Kathmandu.

Japanese ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka today attended the ceremony to inaugurate Sunaulo Library in Sunsari district, the press note reads, adding that the library was damaged by the 2015 earthquake and was no longer accessible. "The project aims at improving services provided by community libraries and learning centers, and supporting the construction of a total of four libraries and learning centers, including the Sunaulo Library."

The library will not only operate as a library, but also be equipped with rooms for children and women, a computer room, and a meeting room, where various programmes like reading promotion activities for children, empowerment of women and youths, and activities to improve the lives of people in the community, will be implemented.

During the inauguration programme, ambassador Kikuta expressed his hope that the library will become a community asset that contributes to the development of the region and that the library will be further developed by community and local government.

He also mentioned that this year marks the 120th anniversary since Nepal dispatched its first eight students to Japan for study and that he was delighted to see the completion of the library construction in this celebratory year.

Japanese assistance for livelihood improvement through agriculture

 Japan has helped implement a project to support earthquake-affected communities in Sindhupalchowk District to enhance livelihoods through agriculture.

The Charge d'Affaires of Japan to Nepal Yoshioka Yuzo signed a grant contract for $453,368 (about Rs 53 million) with country representative of the Japan Asian Association and Asian Friendship Society (JAFS) Nakajima Ayaka to implement a project to support earthquake-affected communities in Sindhupalchowk district to enhance livelihoods through agriculture.

The support was made under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Japanese NGO Projects Scheme for the fiscal year 2020 and will be implemented by JAFS, an international NGO based in Osaka, Japan, in collaboration with its local partner NGO, AFS-Nepal, according to a press note issued by the Janapese Embassy in Kathmandu.

The project focuses on building irrigation and life water systems, and training local farmers on using the systems, the press note reads, adding that JAFS will also support the establishment of agricultural cooperatives to help farmers to collaborate with each other to add value to their products. "It will also provide opportunities farmers for learning how to grow varieties of fruits and vegetables, such as pineapples, lemons and mangos, etc."

The Embassy of Japan in Nepal hopes that the project will help towards improving the livelihoods of farmers in earthquake-affected areas, and believes that it will also enhance the friendly relations existing between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.

Restoration of Seto Machindranath temple starts

 Ambassador of India to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra, chief executive officer of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City today jointly did the bhoomipooja to mark the starting of work of conservation and restoration of Seto Machindranath temple.

The conservation work of Seto Machindranath temple is first of the 28 cultural heritage conservation and restoration projects being under taken with a reconstruction of Rs 5,800 million committed by government of India for the cultural heritage sector, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. "All the 28 sites were identified by government and both India and Nepal signed MoU in this regard in August 2017," it reads, adding that the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of NRA is the implementing entity has been identifying agencies for the restoration works as per be conserved as per Ancient Monument Preservation Act.

The Seto Machindranath Temple will be conserved as per Nepal’s Ancient Monument Preservation Act, and Department of Archaeology’s Basic Guidelines and Manual for conservation and reconstruction of heritage affected by devastating earthquake of 2015, using material close to the original building material at the time of its construction as per the traditional ethos, local traditions and values that sustains and enriches such living heritage sites in Nepal.

The decorative art surfaces and features such as repoussé work, decorative and non-decorative woodworks including timber members with traditional polychrome arts will be documented and conserved through minimal interventions. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)  has been engaged to provide technical support during the conservation and restoration work as per the Detailed Project Report approved by the government.

Believed to have been built in 10th Century AD during Malla era, the temple was damaged during the devastating earthquake of 2015. The temple located in the heart of Kathmandu city is visited by Hindus and Buddhist devotees to worship Seto Machindranath is considered to be one of the Protectors of the Kathmandu Valley.

अर्थतन्त्र जोखिमग्रस्त

२०७२ वैशाख १२ गते भूकम्प गयो । त्यतिखेर आर्थिक वर्ष सकिन तीन महिनामात्रै बाँकी थियो । हुनतः देशैभर भूकम्पको प्रभाव थिएन । करिब १ दर्जन जिल्लामा मात्र भूकम्पको प्रभाव रहेको थियो । त्यसलगत्तै नाकाबन्दी पनि भयो । जसका कारण आर्थिक वर्ष २०७२-७३ को आर्थिक वृद्धि ०.२ प्रतिशतमात्रै रह्यो ।

विश्वभर कोरोना संक्रमण फैलन थाले पनि सरकारले २०७६ चैत ११ गतेदेखि १२० दिन देशव्यापी लकडाउन ग-यो । अर्थात् चैतदेखि असारसम्ममा आर्थिक वर्ष सकिन ४ महिनामात्र बाँकी थियो । तर, देशैभर लकडाउनका कारण आर्थिक वर्ष २०७६-७७ को आर्थिक वृद्धिदर पनि ०.६ प्रतिशत रहने राष्ट्रिय योजना आयोगको नयाँ अनुमान छ ।

नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र खुम्चिएर जम्मा तीन महिनामा सीमित रहेको तथ्यांकले देखाएको छ । तथ्यांकले आर्थिक वर्षका १२ महिनामा जम्मा पछिल्ला तीन महिना अर्थात अन्तिम त्रैमासले मात्रै अर्थतन्त्र धानेको हो कि झैँ देखिने भए पनि प्राकृतिक प्रकोप तथा महामारीले सिर्जित सम्पत्तिमा पनि असर गर्ने भएकोले नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रमा धेरै प्रभाव देखिएको अर्थविद् बताउँछन् । तर, अर्थतन्त्र यसरी संकुचित हुँदै जाँदा आन्तरिक तथा वाह्य दुवै प्रकारका झट्का धान्न नसक्ने गरी थला परिसकेको भने स्पष्ट देखिन्छ ।

अर्थविद् रामेश्वर खनाल भने भूकम्प वा कोरोना कहरले पनि उक्त आर्थिक वर्षभरी सिर्जित सम्पत्ति नष्ट गरेका कारण वर्षान्तमा परेका यस्ता आन्तरिक वा बाह्य झट्काले समग्र आर्थिक वर्षलाई प्रभावित पर्ने बताउँछन् । उनका अनुसार नेपालको अर्थतन्त्र यस्ता आन्तरिक वा वाह्य झट्का धान्न भने कमजोर नै रहेको छ । “नेपालको अर्थतन्त्रको जोखिम बहन गर्नसक्ने क्षमता भने कमजोर छ,” खनाल भन्छन् ।

कोरोना कहरका कारण गत आर्थिक वर्षमा कुल गार्हस्थ्य उत्पादनमा उत्पादकको मूल्यमा १ खर्ब ९८ अर्ब रुपैयाँ बराबरको क्षति भएको योजना आयोगको कार्यदलको प्रतिवेदनले देखाएको छ । आर्थिक वर्ष २०७२-७३ मा पनि भूकम्पले करिब २ खर्बको नोक्सानी गरेको योजना आयोगले तयार गरेका भूकम्पपछिको आवश्यकता अनुमान प्रतिवेदनले जनाएको छ ।

योजना आयोगले गत आर्थिक वर्षको अर्थतन्त्र ऋणात्मक नै नभएको भने पनि अन्तर्राष्ट्रिय मुद्रा कोषले भने शून्य हुने प्रक्षेपण गरेको छ भने योजना आयोगले पनि करिब शून्यकै हाराहारीमा आर्थिक वृद्धि हुने अनुमान गरेको छ । केन्द्रीय तथ्यांक विभागले भने २.२८ प्रतिशतको आर्थिक वृद्धि हुने अनुमान गरेको थियो । सरकारले चालू आर्थिक वर्षमा ८.५ प्रतिशतको आर्थिक वृद्धि गर्ने लक्ष्यका साथ जेठ १५ गते बजेट पेश गर्दै गर्दा कोरोनाका कारण अर्थतन्त्रमा संकुचन आउने स्पष्ट देखिसकिएको थियो ।

२०७६ चैत ११ गते देखिको १२० दिन अर्थात् ४ महिना देशव्यापी लकडाउन र त्यसपछिका निषेधाज्ञाले कलकारखाना त बन्द भए नै पर्यटनलाई भने पुसदेखि नै असर गर्न थालेकोले पर्यटनसँग सम्बन्धित होटेललगायतका अन्य क्रियाकलाप भने करिब बन्द गर्नै अवस्थामा नै पुगिसकेका थिए ।

कोरोनका कारण कुल गार्हस्थ्य उत्पादनमा ५.६ प्रतिशत बराबर क्षति बेहोर्नुपरेको आयोगको प्रतिवेदनले जनाए पनि रोजगारीमा भने कोरोनाको असर धेरै परेको देखिन्छ । देशभित्र तथा बाहिर गरि १५ लाख ६७ हजार नेपालीले रोजगारी गुमाएको प्रतिवेदनले उल्लेख गरेको छ । यसरी प्रत्यक्ष रोजगारीमा असर परेका कारण नेपालमा करिब ४ प्रतिशत गरिबी बढ्ने आकलन गरिएको छ ।

नेपालका ५५ प्रतिशत जनसंख्या यस्ता आन्तरिक तथा वाह्य झट्काका कारण सधै जोखिममा रहने पनि खनालले बताए । जसका कारण नेपालको आधाभन्दा बढी जनसंख्या सबैभन्दा बढी जोखिममा रहेका छन्, उनीहरूले आफनो पेशा व्यवसाय गुमाएकाले उनीहरू गरिबीको सीमाभन्दा बाहिर आउँदै गर्दा फेरि गरिबीको सीमाबाट तल झर्ने उनको भनाइ छ ।

President inaugurates Rani Pokhari

 President Bidya Devi Bhandari today inaugurated the restored Rani Pokhari and Durbar High School.

The historic monuments – damaged in the 2015 Gorkha earthquake – courted controversy as the Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Bidhya Sundar Shakya forwarded a commercial complex construction plan including shopping complex and swimming pool, instead of the iconic pond’s reconstruction. The President had inaugurated the quake-ravaged Rani Pokhari restoration work in 2016 during her first tenure as the president but it took 4 years after the Mayor’s commercial reconstruction plan was opposed by the historians, conservationists, heritage lovers, archeologists and the locals. The project that went through many failed starts and restarts, causing work delays and cost overrun cost more than Rs 240 million to restore it. However, the National Reconstruction Authority today claimed that the restored Balgopaleshwor temple, situated at the centre of the pond, is ready to be opened for the public during the Bhai Tika and Chhath festivals this year.

It will be soon handed over to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the NRA informed, adding that the restoration work of the pond as well as Balgopaleshwor temple was carried out by CM Tulshi JV. “The temple has been restored in its original form, in Shikhara style, as King Pratap Malla had constructed it in 1670 AD.”

The Kathmandu Metropolis had also drawn flaks from conservationists for the use of modern construction materials to build the historic site. Kathmandu Metropolitan City has claimed that it will issue guidelines for the conservation of Rani Pokhari, but the conservationists suspect that it will hand over the icon pond might use it for the benefit of business people, instead of conserving it. Another historic tower –Dharahara – has already been leased out for businesses to earn money by the metropolis to earn money, though the NRA chief executive officer Sushil Gyawali said they are aware about the concerns raised by conservationists.

Meanwhile, President Bhandari also inaugurated the new restored building of Durbar High School – the first school of the country – today. The school building – built by a Chinese company Shanghai Construction Group – cost Rs 850 million. 

The school – built by Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana in 1853 to educate the upper ruling class – has become the school for poor lately.

IOM hands over another multipurpose community centre in Bhimeshwor

A newly constructed multipurpose community centre at Bhimeshwor municipality of Dolakha district was officially handed over to the municipal authorities today. This earthquake-resistant building constructed by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with funding from the people of Thailand through the Royal Thai government, will be used by the municipality as ‘coordination hub’ in its response to crises like Covid-19 pandemic.
“With the operation of multipurpose evacuation center in the municipality, IOM is hopeful that the disaster risk management can be supported from the grassroot level to encompass all the beneficiaries,” said head of Programmes at IOM Nepal Jitendtra Bohara.
Confirmed Covid cases in Nepal have been increasing daily, although there has been decline partly attributed to declining number of returnees from neighbouring India, while the country saw sharp increase in cases after the Indian government eased its lockdown effective from June 1. Majority of cases in Nepal so far, have been returnee migrants, read a press note issued by the IOM-Kathmandu Office today.
“Having designated open spaces with on-site amenities is certainly much safer and important than setting up tent at random area at the event of disaster,” said the Bhimeshwor municipality mayor Bharat Bahadur KC, inaugurating the building.
On the same occasion, mayor KC also unveiled the ‘Open Space Map Book’ developed by the IOM covering all details of designated ‘open spaces’ in the municipality to be used for humanitarian purposes in the event of a disaster. The map book covers all details of ‘open spaces’ such as Global Positioning System (GPS) location, total area, nearest route for evacuation when disaster strikes, nearest emergency services and so on around the open spaces.
IOM is supporting the government in the identification and protection of ‘open spaces’ in the provinces of Bagmati, Gandaki and Province 5. The 83 open spaces identified in Kathmandu valley with support from the IOM, were found to be useful during the Nepal earthquake 2015 that displaced approximately 2.8 million people. The identified open spaces will be integrated to government’s BIPAD platform, a real time database information management sharing portal that will be related completely to both natural and non-natural hazards.
On the onset of disaster, the building will be used to provide shelter for displaced people with priority given to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly people. In times when no disasters or emergencies are prevalent, the building will serve as a venue for community and municipal activities, including women and youth groups, community-based trainings, recreational pursuits, information dissemination and income generating activities.
Under the same project, IOM is building similar multipurpose structures in seven other municipalities in earthquake-affected districts namely Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Gorkha, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk and Rasuwa, with the structure in Bhaktapur district already completed and handed over to the concerned authority.
The project, part of support from the people of Thailand to the Nepalese people in their recovery efforts from the earthquake 2015, is being implemented under the leadership of the government, mainly the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
As co-lead for camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) cluster in humanitarian emergencies, IOM Nepal contributes to government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and building resilient communities.

IOM hands over multipurpose community centre

A newly constructed multipurpose community centre at Changunarayan municipality of Bhaktapur district has been handed over to the municipal authority today.
The building will be used as ‘coordination hub’ by the municipality as part of its crisis preparedness and response efforts including the Covid-19, according to a press note issued by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The building was constructed by the IOM with financial support from Thailand with purpose of supporting the Nepalese people to recover from Nepal Earthquake 2015. “It gives a feeling of accomplishment that we were able to complete the earthquake-resistant structure within the set time frame and the building can now be an added value to Local Government’s efforts to respond to the current pandemic,” said chief migration health officer of IOM Nepal Dr Vasil Gajdadziev.
The earthquake displaced approximately 2.8 million people. Some 117,700 people in the 14 worst-affected districts were forced to find shelter in makeshift camps. Likewise, the impact of the Covind-10 pandemic in Nepal has been increasing daily with hundreds of thousands of migrants returning home from India after it eased its lockdown from June 1.
As of today, Nepal has 15,964 confirmed cases with 35 deaths. Majority of confirmed cases to date are returnee migrants. The government has started repatriation of Nepalis stranded abroad since early June as Nepal had imposed nationwide lockdown effective from March 24.
“This is an auspicious moment for both countries - Thailand and Nepal - as this represents the former’s support to the latter in its efforts towards building a resilient nation,” said Charge d’ Affaires of Thai Embassy in Nepal Utoomporn Ampaivit speaking at the event.
Recalling that in the year 2019 Thailand and Nepal marked 60th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, she expressed her confidence that cooperation and partnership between the two countries and friendship between the people of both sides will keep growing ever stronger. “The fund for the project was donated by the Thai people under the Thai Heart for Nepal programme, which supports Nepalis in their recovery efforts from the damages of the 2015 devastating earthquake,” she added.
 Thanking the government and the people of Thailand for their support to build the community center, the mayor of Changunarayan municipality Som Prasad Mishra assured his further steps in making his municipality a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Champion municipality in the country.
At the onset of disasters, the centre will be used to provide shelter for displaced people with priority given to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly. The centre will also serve as a venue for community and municipal activities, including women and youth groups, community-based training, recreational pursuits, information dissemination and income generating activities.
Under the same project, IOM has been building similar multipurpose structures in seven other municipalities in earthquake affected districts – Shankarapur municipality of Kathmandu district, Lalitpur Metropolitancity of Lalitpur district, Gorkha of Gorkha, Neelkantha of Dhading, Gosainkunda of Rasuwa, Chautara of Sindhupalchowk, and Bhimeshwor of Dolakha. The project is under the leadership of the government, mainly the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
As co-lead for camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) cluster in humanitarian emergencies, IOM Nepal contributes to government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and building resilient communities.

WB approves additional credit to support reconstruction

The World Bank has approved an additional credit of $200 million to the Earthquake Housing Reconstruction Project (EHRP) in Nepal.
The project and the second additional financing contribute to the Nepal’s umbrella Housing Reconstruction Program (HRP), which aims to rebuild earthquake-resistant core housing units by providing housing grants to eligible beneficiaries who have enrolled in the programme. The second additional financing will scale up EHRP’s support to the government’s HRP by financing reconstruction of an additional 86,680 houses in the 32 districts affected by the 2015 earthquakes. The impact of the earthquakes is estimated at 35 per cent of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with recovery needs of about $7 billion.
“It is our aim to ensure that no one is left behind as Nepal builds back better from the devastating earthquakes of 2015,” World Bank country director for Nepal, Sri Lanka and Maldives Idah Z Pswarayi-Riddihough is quoted in a press note issued by the World Bank office in Kathmandu. “We support the Government of Nepal’s efforts in reconstruction to help Nepalis rebuild not just homes but also lives,” he added.
The EHRP, approved in June 2015 supported resilient reconstruction of approximately 55,000 houses in the districts most affected by the earthquakes while an additional IDA credit of $300 million was approved in December 2017 to scale up the EHRP and help bridge the financing gap in the HRP by supporting 96,000 additional households under the project.
The EHRP adopts an owner-driven housing reconstruction approach that promotes earthquake-resistant building techniques and materials and aims at improving long-term resilience through a culture of safer and sustainable housing and settlements.
Under the project, eligible beneficiaries receive grants of Rs 300,000 (approximately $2,730) each for reconstruction of houses in compliance with approved reconstruction guidelines in three tranches. As of January 2020, out of 685,193 beneficiaries enrolled under the government’s HRP in 14 most affected districts, 99 per cent received the first tranche, 81 per cent received the second tranche, and 70 per cent received the third tranche of the housing grant.

Some 63 per cent progress in rebuilding private houses

There has been 83 per cent progress in the post-earthquake reconstruction of private housing, schools, government buildings, health institutions and cultural heritages during four years of its establishment.
The figure, however, also includes houses which are under reconstruction, according to the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) that has completed the fourth year of its establishment. “The reconstruction of some 482,323 private houses, out of 780,165 households with which NRA had inked the housing grant, has been completed so far,” it informed, adding that some 189,041 quake-damaged houses are currently being rebuilt. Some 5,380 or 71 per cent of 7,553 educational institutions affected by the earthquakes have been reconstructed till date, whereas reconstruction works of 1,787 institutions is currently ongoing.”
Likewise, of the 891 cultural heritage sites of 32 districts damaged by the devastating earthquakes, the reconstruction of some 387 sites has been completed, while reconstruction of 123 sites is ongoing, the NRA informed, adding that of the 1,197 health institutions affected by the quakes, reconstruction of some 665 has been completed, while reconstruction of 149 such institutions is ongoing.
 “The reconstruction drive is smooth and has made significant progress in recent months,” NRA chief executive officer Sushil Gyewali informed, organising a press conference today. “Rs 335 billion has been spent in the reconstruction works so far,” he said, outlining a few challenges including resource management as the reconstruction process moves ahead. “The reconstruction work still has huge budget deficit.”
According to him, the NRA still has a deficit of Rs 300 billion to complete the entire reconstruction works, while it requires Rs 34 billion within this fiscal year.

Substantial contribution of reconstruction in economy

Reconstruction has increased 4.5 percentage point contribution to GDP, according to a study.
According to a preliminary report ‘Impact of Post-Earthquake Reconstruction on Nepalese Economy’, jointly prepared by the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and the Society of Economic Journalists Nepal (Sejon), public and private spending on post-earthquake reconstruction helped increase 4.5 percentage points to the economic growth rate.
It means the casual impact of reconstruction ‘contributed’ 7x0.045 = 0.32 per cent growth in annual GDP, assuming 7 per cent annual GDP growth rate.
The report – supported by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDIIA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) – also claimed that the reconstruction activities in the aftermath of the 2015 devastating earthquakes also generated 1.42 million jobs.
Economist and lead author Nirmal Kumar Raut, while presenting the report today, said that around 550,000 people were engaged in reconstruction work in the current fiscal year alone. “The study also reveals that housing reconstruction alone created jobs equal to 255 million man days which is equivalent to 1.42 million people being employed by the end of fiscal 2017-18. “Currently, some 0.55 million people are working in reconstruction of houses with jobs equal to 100 million work days being created indicating that the construction industry has been the largest employer in recent periods.”
Roughly speaking, about 7 per cent of the total employment in 2017-18 was created from the reconstruction of destroyed, damaged infrastructure alone, according to the report. “This is also a lower bound estimate of the total employment in the reconstruction work because this calculation is based only on a basic structure of house proposed among others and also this excludes the employment in the reconstruction of public infrastructure.”
Nepal was struck by two devastating earthquakes of magnitudes 7.8 and 7.3 on April 25 and May 12, respectively, killing some 8,790 people and injuring 22,300. The economic loss was estimated at $7 billion, out of which 76 per cent was in the private sector. The economic growth rate plunged to 2.97 per cent in the fiscal year 2014-15 – following the disaster – decelerated further to a record low of 0.2 per cent in the fiscal year 2015-16.
After the devastating earthquake, lots of reconstruction activities picked up creating employment and helping economic activities to push the economic growth. The Nepali economy grew by 7.74 per cent in the fiscal year 2016-17, the highest growth rate since the fiscal year 1993-94. Likewise, in the fiscal year 2017-18, the economy grew by 6.3 per cent, according to the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS).
The report also claims that reconstruction work alone contributed most to the economic growth rate.
The report used two different approaches – one contribution of the construction industry to the GDP and second econometric model – to analyse.
The first inference was drawn from the contribution of the construction industry to the GDP vis-à-vis other major industries before and after the earthquake, Raut said, adding that the second inference was made by exploiting an econometric model. “An econometric model is one of the tools economists use to forecast developments in the economy.”
The econometric model also measures past relationships among such variables as consumer spending, household income, and employment, among others, and then forecasts how changes in some variables will affect future development, though some of the economists do not buy the result of the report.
“An average 4.5 per cent growth contribution by the reconstruction drive alone is not possible,” a former member of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Govinda Nepal said, adding that there are no substantial bases to claim that reconstruction activities fuelled a growth of 4.5 per cent, even though it has contributed significantly to revitalising the economy.
Nepal also said there is a need to conduct a comprehensive study on how reconstruction activities contributed to the economy before making such a large claim.
The government – in the fiscal year 2015-16 – spent Rs 21 billion on reconstruction, and in the next fiscal year 2016-17 – it spent Rs 27 billion. But in the past four fiscal year years, the government spent a total of Rs 450 billion – with most of the spending taking place in the last two fiscal year – which gives ample ground to conclude that the 4.5 per cent contribution – from fiscal year 2015-16 to fiscal 2017-18 – to the economy by the reconstruction drive is just not possible, Nepal added.
However, the outcome is construed as a lower bound estimate of the effects of reconstruction on economic growth owing to the limitations in the availability of data of other major variables and confounding effects of the 2015 blockade, natural shocks and other concurring adversities such as border blockade, the report explains. “Of the four major sectors--agriculture, manufacturing, whole and retails and construction, the share of only the construction sector in the economy expanded while share of other three sectors decreased.”
Chief executive officer (CEO) of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali, on the occasion, said that the employment generated by the reconstruction drive looks realistic though there is a need for more research to find out the actual contribution of reconstruction activities to the economy. “Whatever growth there was did not just come from the government’s investment only,” he said, adding that the government invested only Rs 150 billion in the housing sector and the private sector poured in Rs 600 billion to build homes. “As Nepal’s reconstruction used local materials and resources, most of the money did not go outside the country supporting the grassroots level the most.”
Reconstruction also imparted skills to many Nepalis, mostly benefitting women, and increased financial inclusion with about 770,000 new bank accounts opened, some 30 per cent by women, the report reads, adding that – according to the NRA data – as many as 482,323 beneficiaries, out of the total 816,560, have rebuilt their houses. “As many as 56,382 beneficiaries have received construction completion certificates.”
A total of 769,926 households have received the first tranche of the government grant with 621,449 beneficiaries receiving the second tranche too, the NRA data reveals, adding that a total of 525,233 have received the third installment of government assistance. “The government provides Rs 300,000 for homeowners, whose homes were completely damaged and have no other home.”
The reconstruction of some 5,063 public schools, some 25,128 school rooms, some 665 health institutes, some 380 archaeological sites, some 311 government buildings and some 165 buildings of security agencies has also been over, according to the NRA.

Indian help for earthquake affected cultural heritage sites

The Embassy of India in Kathmandu signed an agreement with the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) for post-earthquake reconstruction of 11 cultural heritage sites in Nepal.
The agreement was signed by deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of India in Kathmandu Dr Ajay Kumar on behalf of the government of India and member secretary at INTACH Dr Mrs CT Mishra. On the occasion, senior officials from the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and ambassador of India to Nepal Manjeev Singh Puri were also present.
The INTACH will provide Design and Project Management Consultancy services for reconstruction of 11 cultural heritage sites in four districts, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur and Solukhumbhu. The INTACH will work with the Department of Archaeology (DoA) under the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation to reconstruct and conserve cultural heritage sites as per Nepal’s guidelines on reconstruction of cultural heritage sites.
The INTACH is one of the largest heritage organisations of the world with over 190 chapters across India, according to a press note issued by the Embassy of India in Kathmandu.

Nepal hails Japan’s support to post-quake reconstruction

Nepal lauded Japan’s support in post-earthquake reconstruction.
Inaugurating the 46th annual function of JICA Alumni Association Nepal (JAAN) and International Seminar on ‘Natural Disaster in South Asia: Interventions, Best Practices and Challenges’ in the capital today, foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali lauded Japan for supporting Nepal in its reconstruction process by providing financial and technical assistance.
Gyawali said Nepal and Japan had enjoyed excellent cordial bilateral relations ever since the establishment of formal diplomatic ties between the two countries in 1956. “JICA has been helping in reconstruction and recovery especially of schools and health posts,” he said, thanking the people and government of Japan.
While recalling his visit to Japan in November, Gyawali said that Japan has been a longstanding development partner of Nepal.
On the occasion, he also launched JAAN's annual publication ‘MILAN’, which contains scholarly articles from experts from Nepal, JICA, JAAN and other countries in South Asia.
Speaking on the occasion, Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masamichi Saigo said that with high level exchanges between the two countries ‘Japan-Nepal relations have been more solid than in the past’. The envoy also thanked JAAN and JICA Alumni Associations' Forum of SAARC Countries (JAAFSC) for contributing to strengthening the relations between the two countries.
JICA Nepal's chief representative Yumiko Asakuma, on the occasion, highlighted Japan's contribution to Nepal's reconstruction process after the 2015 earthquakes and various other cooperation projects launched with Japanese assistance. She also expressed the hope that JAAN and JAAFSC will contribute to further strengthening the relations between Nepal and Japan.
Likewise, chief executive officer (CEO) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali shared the progress of Nepal's reconstruction process with the audience. “The reconstruction process is expected to be completed within the next two years,” he informed.
During the programme, various scholars and representatives from South Asia presented papers on the theme of Japan-Nepal relationships and natural disasters, which they said, are the common problems for all countries in South Asia.
According to president of JAAN and general secretary of JAAFSC Ram Chandra Bhusal, the international seminar has been organised to share lessons and best practices of South Asian countries in matters of disaster management so as to enable each country in the region to be better-equipped to overcome the challenges facing the region in disaster risk management.

Elected local government representatives from Nepal visit India

As part of Government of India’s post-earthquake-reconstruction efforts in Nepal, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is organising an exposure visit of 16 elected local government representatives from Gorkha District to India from November 12 to November 16.
UNDP’s partner Owner Driven Reconstruction Collaborative of India (ODRC) is coordinating their visits to Gujarat and Delhi to learn from Bhuj Earthquake Reconstruction Experience. Mayors, Deputy Mayors of two Municipalities and Ward Chairs, Vice-Chairs of six Gaunpalikas are participating in the visit, according to a press note from Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.
During their visit to India, the delegation will interact with the elected representatives of Bhujand Gujarat Government executives and observe the practices of owner driven reconstruction adopted after the Bhuj earthquake. In Delhi, the delegation will interact with National Disaster Management Authority of India to get a comprehensive overview of India’s disaster preparedness, recovery set up and experiences.
Government of India is collaborating with Government of Nepal on post-earthquake reconstruction of 26,912 houses in Gorkha district of Nepal. To complement the Government of Nepal’s owner driven reconstruction approach, UNDP is providing socio-technical facilitation to home owners to rebuild their resilient homes.
The visit will provide an avenue for building capacities of key local stakeholders for ensuring earthquake resilient reconstruction by raising community awareness about disaster management, recovery and resilience, reads the press note.

India releases Rs 3.10 billion as part of its post-earthquake reconstruction support

Export Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank of India) – on On behalf of the Indian government – has released Rs 3.10 billion to Nepal from concessional Line of Credit (LoC) towards reimbursement of third tranche of housing reconstruction in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts.
“$50 million from Line of Credit was pledged to support the reconstruction of 50,000 private houses in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts in Nepal, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. “In addition, India committed $100 million as a grant for supporting these houses.”
So far, India has reimbursed Rs 6.96 billion (approx $69.6 million) towards reimbursement of first and second tranches to home owners. “The support by the Government of India also includes the provision of Socio-Technical Facilitation to the home owners to encourage them to rebuild their homes as per the Government of Nepal’s earthquake-resilient norms,” according to the embassy.
The embassy also informed that the Government of India is committed to continue supporting the people and Government of Nepal for completion of post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal.

World Bank discuss federalism, diversified investment and reconstruction

The visiting World Bank officials discussed Nepal’s transition to federalism, the need to invest in the country’s human capital, crowding in the private sector for diversified investment, the pace of reconstruction after the earthquakes in 2015, and the creation of jobs, especially for Nepal’s youth, during their stay in Nepal.
An eleven-member delegation of the World Bank Group Executive Directors (EDs) visited Nepal from October 29 to November 1, marking the 50th year of World Bank Group-Nepal engagement, with the first World Bank credit in Nepal approved by the board on November 4, 1969.
The trip – that was part of a larger visit to the South Asia Region that will also include Bangladesh and Maldives – also gained a comprehensive view of Nepal’s current development status and opportunities, a press note issued by the multilateral development partner reads.
During their visit, the EDs met with representatives from federal and local governments, the private sector, development partners, and civil society, it reads.
“Nepal has made progress in reduction of poverty and its stable government signals a smoother transition to the federal structure,” said spokesperson of the Delegation and Executive Director for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain and Republica Bolivariana de Venezuala, Jorge Chavez Presa. “However, to ensure stronger and more sustained growth, it needs rapid strengthening of institutions and systems,” he said, adding that the World Bank Group is committed to help the Nepal achieve its ambitious goals for the benefit of all Nepalis.
The EDs’ conversations with finance minister Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, focused on leveraging World Bank Group-wide support for the federalism agenda, maximizing finance for development, and investing in health and education for the people of Nepal.
During the visit to an earthquake reconstruction site in Patlekhet of Kavrepalanchowk, the EDs learnt about the reconstruction program that supported rebuilding of more than 430,000 houses after the devastating earthquakes. The government’s larger rural housing reconstruction programme aims at providing earthquake-resistant housing for around 700,000 beneficiaries.
The EDs also visited Incessant Rain Animation Studios – a Nepali studio exporting digital products to global cinema and gaming industry – and observed firsthand the retaining of young talent and the disruptive technology in action, the note further reads, adding that the EDs met entrepreneurs and private sector representatives to further understand investment scenarios and discuss ways for diversifying investment. “In their discussions with policymakers and civil society representatives, the EDs continued the conversation about opportunities emerging in different sectors in federal Nepal and ways to expand and enhance their positive impact.”
The World Bank Group has a strong partnership with Nepal, with 50 years of engagement since 1969. The current investment portfolio cuts across all key sectors in 25 projects and has a net commitment of $2.47 billion, as of September 2019.
The World Bank Group Board of Directors are collectively called the Executive Directors (EDs). The Board of Directors includes the president of the World Bank Group and 25 Executive Directors. Member countries of the World Bank Group appoint or elect Executive Directors to the Boards of the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Development Association (IDA), International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Directors to the Board of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA). While the World Bank Group maintains four Boards for these separate arms, Executive Directors typically serve on all Boards simultaneously.
The visiting delegation of the EDs includes Executive Director and Host for Nepal Kulaya Tantitemit; Executive Director Jorge Chavez Presa; Executive Director Herve de Villeroche; Executive Director Geir Haarde; Executive Director Patrizio Pagano; Executive Director DJ Nordquist; Executive Director Jean-Claude Tchatchouang; Executive Director Aparna Subramani; Executive Director Merza Hasan; Alternate Executive Director Gerard Antioch and Alternate Executive Director Nathalie Francken.

Five-star Everest Hotel reopens

The Everest Hotel in Baneshwor reopened, though partially, from today, after four years. The five start property was shuttered after the hotel was damaged due to devastating earthquake on May 12, 2015.
The hotel – that is yet to clear outstanding dues to the government, renew its operating licence and conduct an environmental impact assessment study – though has informed the Department of Tourism to start process to prepare an environmental impact assessment.
According to director general of the department Danduraj Ghimire, the hotel has submitted some documents. “The department is in the process of reviewing them,” he said, adding that the hotel has informed the department that it has started the process to prepare an environmental impact assessment report. “It has also said that currently 35 rooms have been renovated.”
An environmental impact assessment – a procedure performed in order to define the environmental impacts of the project – is mandatory for all new and old hotels with more than 100 beds.
The hotel has also to comply with several operational requirements, including the engineering and design that needs to be approved by Kathmandu Metropolitan City as well, before starting the complete operation.
“Until the hotel fulfills the requirements, its operating licence will not be renewed,” Ghimire said adding that as the hotel has committed to fulfill all the requirements, the department cannot abruptly prevent it from operating. “It has invested millions of rupees to renovate the property.”
The hotel has to come with valid documents to show it is ready for commercial operation to get the operating licence renewed.
On May 26, 2015, the 160-room five-star property was given a ‘red sticker’ by a government inspection team, declaring the building unfit to live in following the powerful aftershock on May 12 that severely damaged three main pillars in the hotel’s lobby.
A red sticker means that the structure has been damaged to the extent that it is dangerous to live.
The government team had also suggested the management to retrofit the building. But considering that the five-star hotel must have adequate safety measures, the hotel pulled its shutter down for retrofitting.