International conference on reconstruction in December

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) is going to organise an international conference on reconstruction in Kathmandu on December 7-9.

The authority has successfully completed most of the reconstruction and rehabilitation work of the damage caused by the devastating earthquake on April 25, 2015, and the subsequent aftershocks, informed the chief executive of the authority Sushil Gyawali.

The authority has handed over the remaining responsibility to the concerned body. The experience and learning of the post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation work has laid the groundwork for fulfilling the national goal of making Nepal safe from disasters, he claimed, adding that an international conference on reconstruction will help Nepal share the experience and learning in post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation.

With the slogan 'From Reconstruction to Upliftment', the conference will include research-based presentations on various aspects of private housing reconstruction, cultural heritage reconstruction, public infrastructure reconstruction, livelihood and economic rehabilitation, and good governance, as well as thematic seminars.

According to the authority's executive committee member and International Conference organising committee coordinator Dr Chandra Bahadur Shrestha, local and foreign guests, experts and representatives of various organisations have been invited to participate in the conference.

Requesting to register online to participate in the conference, he also informed that a website of international conference has also been launched.

India-Nepal review progress of post-earthquake reconstruction projects

Nepal and India today held a Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) meeting on post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Kathmandu.

The meeting was co-chaired by secretary at the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Chandra Tiwari and joint secretary (North) at the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India Anurag Srivastava, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

The JPMC Mechanism was set up in August 2017 to monitor the progress of the Government of India-assisted post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal. The meeting was attended by representatives of relevant ministries, departments and agencies of the government, officers and officials of the Government of India, consultants and other stakeholders engaged in the implementation of the projects. The last JPMC meeting was held on March 8, 2020 in Kathmandu.

The meeting carried out a comprehensive review of the progress of Government of India assisted post-earthquake reconstruction projects in housing, education, health and cultural heritage sectors in Nepal, the press note reads, adding that both sides expressed satisfaction on the successful completion of 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, constructed under the Government of India's assistance in the housing sector. "Similarly, both sides also noted with appreciation the progress achieved in reconstruction projects being undertaken under education, cultural heritage and health sectors in Nepal."

The co-chairs agreed to hold the next meeting of the JPMC on a mutually-convenient date.

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.

Indian envoy lays foundation stone for reconstruction of Kumari Chhen

 Indian ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra today laid the foundation stone for reconstruction and development of Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas in Patan of Lalitpur district.

According to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, the conservation and development work of Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas is second of the 28 cultural heritage conservation and restoration projects being under taken with government of India reconstruction grant of Rs 5800 million conservation, restoration and reconstruction of cultural heritage projects in eight districts of Nepal. "The 28 sites have been identified by Nepal government and the projects are being implemented by the Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).

The Kumari Chhen and Kumari Niwas will be conserved as per Ancient Monument Preservation Act, and Department of Archaeology’s Basic Guidelines and Manual for conservation and reconstruction of heritage affected by 2015 devastating earthquake. The scope of work includes restoration of the old building and conservation of the wall painting, which will serve as the ritual, and prayer building of the Kumari Goddess along with the construction of a new building on the vacant plot on the eastern side of the present Kumari Chhen to function as the new official residence of the Kumari goddess.

Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) has been engaged to provide technical support during the conservation and development work as per the Detailed Project Report approved by the overnment.

'Kumari' refers to the living Goddess worshiped by people in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. The Kumari culture is central and unique practice among the Newar Buddhist community of Kathmandu Valley. The new Kumari Niwas incorporates traditional architectural features which are symbolic representations of the importance of the Kumari Goddess in the social, religious and cultural life of the Newar community.

"India is honoured to be associated with Nepal government in the conservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites in Nepal to preserve the living cultural heritage sites to their past glory," the embassy press note adds.

India extends Rs 44.17 million grant assistance to construct new building

India is helping Nepal construct new school building of Shree Naharpur Secondary School in Butwal.

Head of Development Partnership and Reconstruction Wing of the Embassy of India, Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration and Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City, Rupandehi today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for construction of new school building of Shree Naharpur Secondary School at Butwal-11, Naharpur in Rupandehi.

The new school building will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 44.17 million under Nepal-Bharat Maitri Development Partnership as a part of High Impact Community Development Project scheme programme of government of India, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Established in1971, Shree Naharpur Secondary School is affiliated to National Examinations Board (NEB). The school is providing education in the field of Education and Management at +2 levels. Currently some, 1,127 students are enrolled in the school and about 50 per cent of which are girls students. 

Since 2003, under High Impact Community Development Projects programme, earlier known as Small Development Projects (SDP), India has completed 446 projects in the areas of health, education, drinking water, connectivity, sanitation and creation of other public utilities in across all seven provinces of Nepal. Out of these, 41 are in Province-5, including ten completed projects in Rupandehi District and 9 projects are under various stages of completion in province 5 including one in Rupandehi district.

India is also reconstructing 71 educational institutions damaged during 2015 devastating arthquake in eight districts of Nepal under reconstruction grant of Rs 5800 million, the press note reads, adding that eight schools have already been completed, work on 62 schools is ongoing and the Tribhuvan University Central Library project is under tender process.

India to fund Rs 530 million for reconstruction of health posts

 Head of Development Partnership and Reconstruction wing of the Embassy of India in Kathmandu and Project Director of Central Level Project Implementation Unit (Building) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) today signed four Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) for reconstruction of total 25 health posts in Nepal.

Some 12 health posts are located in Dhading district and 13 are located in Sindhupalchowk district, a total of 25 health posts damaged during the 2015 earthquake will be reconstructed at a cost of Rs 530 million, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. 

On the same occasion, four contract agreements, award the work to successful bidders were also signed between CLPIU (Building) and Contractors, the press note reads, adding that the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI)-Roorkee -- a premier institute of India in the field earthquake-resilient reconstruction -- will be providing technical assistance during for the reconstruction. "These 25 health posts are the first batch of 147 health sector projects being reconstructed by NRA under the government of India reconstruction grant of $50 million for health sector in ten districts of Nepal."

The remaining projects are in advanced stage of tender process, it claimed. "The Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee, a premier institute, will provide technical hand-holding for construction of these health facilities." The health facilities will have OPD, dispensary, medicine store rooms, ante/post-natal room, bedrooms for duty doctors/ medical staff, kitchen and disable friendly sanitation facilities. 

The Indian Embassy in Kathmandu also claimed that the government of India has been engaged with government of Nepal in strengthening the infrastructure facilities in the health sector. "Under government of India funded Small Development Projects (SDP) scheme, over 40 health posts, and health camps have been completed in Nepal since 2003." it claimed, adding that the government of India has also gifted over 823 ambulances to governmental, non-governmental, non-profit making organisations in Nepal since 1994. 

The Embassy press note also claimed that the government of India remains committed to continue its development partnership with Nepal which is long-standing, unwavering, unmatched and multidimensional in nature.

Inauguration of Singha Durbar rebuilt 70 months after 2015 Gorkha earthquake

 Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli today inaugurated the three facades of Singha Durbar after the restoration of the building. The post-earthquake reconstruction of Singha Durbar that serves as the main administrative hub has been completed recently. The power seat was damaged by the devastating 2015 April earthquake. The prime minister KP Sharma Oli, on the occasion, also appraised about his three years of achievements.

The reconstruction that was carried out by the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) cost Rs 870 million, according to the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers. The office will now be shifted to the renovated building, it confirmed, adding that after the April 25 devastating Gorkha earthquake, the office has been functioning from the then Ministry of Local Development. “Singha Durbar was massively damaged by the 2030 BS huge inferno and was restored to its original structure in 2037 BS through a new technology.”

Now the reconstructed building has an emergency and fire extinguisher mechanism and also well-equipped with the air conditioning facility.

According to NRA's Central Project Implementation Unit's Project, the renovation works were carried out in two phases through a tender. “The north, south and east sections were retrofitted keeping their original structure unchanged with the use of a new technology and construction materials including cement, sand, iron rod and bonding chemical,” it informed, adding that the reconstruction of the west face, which had remained unaffected by the 2030 BS inferno is going on by using traditional technology and construction materials. “This sub-project began on October 14, 2019 and has been completed almost half.”

The Sharma-Gauri Parbati-New Technical JV company has been contracted to undertake the retrofitting with a total budget of around 468 million, except the value added tax (VAT). It is estimated to be completed by mid-July this year.

India hands over Rs 306 million chequeto Nepal Reconstruction Authority

 Deputy chief of mission at the Embassy of Indiain Nepal Namgya Khampa handed over a cheque of Rs 306.6 million to chief executive officer (CEO) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Shushil Gyawali today for reconstruction of educational institutions in earthquake affected districts of Nepal.

According to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu, with this cheque handover, India has reimbursed an amount of Rs 819.8 million to Nepal towards educational sector reconstruction projects. 

Under India’s committed a grant assistance of $50 million towards reconstruction of educational institutions in Nepal, some 71 projects – including the Central Library building of Tribhuvan University (TU) – have presently been taken up by National Reconstruction Authority. “These projects are located in Gorkha, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Dolakha, Kavre, Dhading, and Sindhupalchowk districts of Nepal,” the press note reads, adding that while 3 schools in Gorkha and 5 in Nuwakot have been completed, construction of 56 schools in five districts is underway and seven schools are in final stage of award of contract. “During the meeting, progress of various Indian government funded reconstruction projects in housing, health and cultural heritage sector were also discussed.”

India has committed $150 million towards reconstruction of 50,000 houses in Gorkha and Nuwakot districts, $50 million for reconstruction of 147 hospitals, and health posts in 10 districts and another $50 million for restoration/reconstruction of 28 cultural heritage sites in 8 districts of Nepal. While housing sector projects are nearly completed and handed over to beneficiaries, projects in education, health and cultural heritage sectors are at various stages of active implementation.

The deputy chief of mission, on the occasion, reiterated continued commitment of Indian government to work with Nepal government towards its reconstruction efforts, therebycomplementing efforts of government and people of Nepal in post-earthquake recovery.

JICA’s Rs 12 billion Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project completes

 The Emergency Housing Reconstruction Project (EHRP) funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has been successfully completed earlier from the targeted completion date.

On this occasion, a closing ceremony was organised virtually today, according to a press note issued by the development partner. “The ceremony was attended by National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) chief executive officer Sushil Gyewali, NRA secretary Suresh Acharya, ambassador of Japan to Nepal Masamichi Saigo, JICA chief representative Yumiko Asakuma and several other high ranking officials from NRA, Central Level Project Implementation Units and District Level Project Implementation Units,” the press note reads, adding that the EHRP is a Japanese ODA loan project amounting Japanese Yen 12 billion (equivalent to about Rs 12 billion). “Main objective of EHRP was to restore and improve the living condition of the victims of the devastating earthquake of 2015, by reconstructing the destroyed and damaged houses using an adequate seismic standard of construction.”

With the principle of Build Back Better (BBB), EHRP provided technical assistance to more than 95,000 housing reconstruction beneficiaries in the target areas of Gorkha and Sindhupalchok districts. The EHRP also provided financial assistance to the government for providing housing grant. The housing grant was provided to about 34,000 beneficiaries who successfully completed earthquake-resilient houses.

As of November 2020, almost 90 per cent of beneficiaries have already completed their house construction in JICA’s target area. The Community Mobilisation Programme (CMP) was one of key factor for success of housing reconstruction which optimized the power of community and promoted mutual support, the press note claimed, adding that it also created job opportunity to over 500 mobile masons, who were instrumental in assisting the house owners for reconstruction.

Speaking on the occasion, Japanese envoy Saigo recalled his field visit to EHRP area, where the mobile mason, house owner, technical support staff and the whole community were working together in a well

organised way and shared his observation on the reason behind of completing the project successfully before the original schedule.

Likewise, chief representative of JICA Nepal Asakuma highly appreciated NRA's initiatives of documenting the learning from reconstruction and passing it to the new agency responsible for DRR, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority for institutionalization of the practical learning.

On the occasion, NRA chief executive Gyewali highly acknowledged the CMP, which was highly effective to synergise the well-grounded Nepali culture of mutual help saying that the CMP not only was instrumental in expediting reconstruction but also in strengthening the social capital of community cohesion.

Housing reconstruction will still continue to materialise leave-no-one-behind, even though EHRP funded by JICA is closed, the press note added.

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.

Indian envoy, NRA chief jointly launch CBRI project website

 Indian ambassador to Nepal Vinay Mohan Kwatra and chief executive officer (CEO) of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Sushil Gyewali jointly unveiled – virtually – a dedicated website on government of India-assisted post-earthquake reconstruction projects in the education sector in Nepal.

The website – available in both English and Nepali versions – is a one stop, user friendly window for all information related to education projects under government of India-assisted post-earthquake reconstruction initiatives, according to a press note issued by the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu. “The website is accessible at www.goicbrinepal.com,” it reads, adding that it has been conceptualised and developed by the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI), Roorkee under India's Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). “The CBRI, Roorkee, is the Design and Project Management Consultant for the project, and a premier National Laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).” 

It is a pioneer in India for research in the field of shelter planning, building materials, structures, foundations and disaster mitigation, the press note claims.

After their role in the education sector projects, the CBRI, Roorkee has also been appointed as the Design and Project Management Consultant for health sector projects under government of India's post-earthquake reconstruction initiative. An Agreement for their role in the health sector was recently signed between the Indian Embassy, on behalf of the Government of India, and CBRI, Roorkee. 

Steady progress has been recorded under the Government of India's commitment of $1 billion for post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal. In the housing sector, over 46,000 out of 50,000 houses have been completed for government of India-supported beneficiaries in Nuwakot and Gorkha districts.

Education, health and cultural restoration projects including 70 schools, 1 library, 147 health facilities and 28 cultural heritage sector projects are under implementation for reconstruction, and retrofitting, the press note reads, adding that Government of India remains committed to continue supporting the socio-economic development of Nepal, including through post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Nepal.

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.

Coronavirus to eat 3 to 4 per cent of economy

The coronavirus forced lockdown is going to damage our economy by 2 per cent to 4 per cent of the GDP, according to the Prime Minister.
“The adequate attention of the government has been drawn to the analyses of various subject experts that the damage to our GDP shall be to the tune of 2 per cent to 4 per cent due to this pandemic,” said the premier addressing the nation today morning on the occasion of New Year 2077 BS.
“Relevant agencies of the government have already been tasked to estimate post-epidemic damages,” he said, adding that as the speed of the pandemic will be predictable within the coming week, broader evaluation process will be conclusive only after that. “Apart from the social and psychological cost of this pandemic, the consequent global economic recession is going to inflict profound impact on the emerging economies such as ours.”
The PM also vowed to bring plans to revive the country's economy which has hit hard by the deadly virus. According to various studies, the country is losing some Rs 5 billion everyday due to lockdown. The government had imposed lockdown from March 24 to contain the spread of Covid-19 – popularly known as coronavirus – as maintaining the physical distancing is key to contain the deadly pandemic that has already claimed over 100,000 lives across the globe.
Talking about the $29 million cooperation agreement that has been concluded with the World Bank as emergency support for prevention of coronavirus infection, along with, some $1,563 million on different headings, arranged from various development partners including the World Bank, the Prime Minister assured that policy to implement the employment programme targeting those youths on overseas employment, who are at the risk of losing job due to the possible global economic slowdown, and those unemployed youths within the country will be dealt and promoting agro-based, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), concrete plan will be put in place in collaboration with the relevant entrepreneurs, experts and youths themselves to explore the potential new areas of self-employment.
The pandemic has hit hard the daily wages workers, and unorganised sector employees as the lockdown has snatched their jobs, and livelihood.
As the government has been charged of neglecting the people of lower strata, and also those around the poverty line, the premier claimed to announce an 'economic recovery package' through its policy and programme and budget to connect the missing link with the broken production-relation and how to run again the obstructed production system. “Once we flatten the curve of this pandemic, we will surely adopt the policy of 'investment, investment and, again investment' in order to enhance economic activities,” he said, adding that currently the government study and survey is focused on 'how to connect the missing link with the broken production-relation' and 'how to run again the obstructed production system'. “Based on the findings and recommendations of the study, the government will announce an 'economic recovery package' through its policy and programme and budget.”
“With the end of this pandemic, a dialogue needs to be initiated about human-centred new world order,” he added.
PM Oli also to not get his salary, which will go to the government established fund, until the pandemic ends.
Reciting his wish list, the premier said that it was government’s plan to inaugurate Ranipokhari – in the first half of the first month (Baishakh) of the New Year 2077 BS –damaged by the devastating earthquake of 2015. “It was contemplated that the Dharahara would be rising not only up to the 10th floor but beyond that,” he said, adding that awarding of contract would have been concluded for the Sunkoshi-Marin Diversion project. “A new programme would have been announced on public transport.”
However, due to the epidemic, the country has arrived at a juncture that requires postponement of a number of projects, creates obvious delays in construction works and makes it necessary for the transfer of budgets to another headings and the rearrangement of the priority sectors, Oli said, adding that the highest and only priority today, as we all know, is the health and safety of all the citizens. “The most important development and reconstruction activity at present is to ensure the prevention of the infection from spreading.”

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.

Rani Pokhari to be restored by mid-January

Reconstruction of the historic Rani Pokhari could be completed by mid-May 2020.
According to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the reconstruction of the historic pond located in the heart of the capital city been expedited with works like laying black soil, constructing the wall and rebuilding the Balgopaleshwar temple situated in the middle of the pond.
The reconstruction works have been sped up after the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has been given the responsibility of reconstructing the heritage site, which was completely destroyed by the devastating earthquake of 2015, the metropolis informed, adding that reconstruction of various structures – including the Balgopaleshwar temple – at this site were delayed by three years due to confusion over jurisdiction of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, the Department of Archaeology and NRA to undertake the reconstruction of this historical heritage site.
The reconstruction was also delayed due to confusion over the style of Balgopaleshwar temple. Claiming that reconstruction works have been expedited to meet the deadline, the reconstruction authority said that the works of constructing the wall around the pond and laying black soil on its bed will be completed by January 14, 2020. “Twenty per cent of reconstruction of the temple has been completed and wood works of the temple were under way.”
According to heritage expert Rajuman Manandhar at the reconstruction authority, some 85 per cent construction of the wall has been completed whereas 40 per cent work on the pond has been over.

Almost half of quake-affected private houses not built

As the mandate of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) is expiring on December 25, 2020, around half of the quake-affected private houses are yet not built.
“Reconstruction of 62 per cent of private houses that were damaged during the 2015 earthquake has been completed, while 24 per cent of such houses are being rebuilt,” NRA chief executive officer Sushil Gyewali said, presenting the post-earthquake reconstruction progress at the Parliamentary Development and Technology Committee today. “The reconstruction of 479,545 houses has been finished till date while reconstruction of 189,141 such houses is ongoing,” he added.
Gyewali, on the occasion, also claimed that reconstruction progress can be put at 86 per cent of quake-affected houses, if houses that are currently being reconstructed are also taken into account. “The NRA had inked housing grant agreement with 776,427 households,” he said, adding that under three tranches – Rs 100,000, Rs 150,000 and Rs 100,000 – the NRA is providing altogether Rs 350,000 as housing grant for the beneficiaries to rebuild their houses. “Some 99 per cent of housing grant beneficiaries have taken the first tranche of the housing grant from the government, while 80 per cent have taken the second tranche of housing grant and only 67 per cent of the beneficiaries have taken the third tranche of housing grant from NRA.”
The NRA has resettled 4,204 vulnerable settlements – out of 4,929 identified vulnerable settlements after the earthquake – to secured places. “The reconstruction of 71 per cent of 7,553 quake-affected schools has been completed, while 24 per cent of them are under construction,” he added. “The reconstruction of 58 per cent of 1,197 health institutions affected by the earthquake has been completed, whereas reconstruction of 14 per cent of affected health institutions is underway.”
Likewise, the reconstruction of 51 per cent of 753 cultural heritage sites – affected by the earthquake – across seven most affected districts has been completed, while reconstruction of 16 per cent of such cultural monuments is underway, according to the NRA. “Reconstruction of Ranipokhari, Dharahara, Singha Durbar and Kastamandap is ongoing at a good pace.”
Asking the NRA and the government to give due priority to enhance livelihood of quake-affected people and ensure availability of subsidised loan facilities to the quake victims, chair of the Parliamentary Development and Technology Committee Kalyani Khadka directed the NRA to give high priority to reconstruction of damaged houses.

Reconstruction update
Household surveyed – 1,036,568
Eligible for household grants – 820,610
Retrofitting beneficiaries identified – 69,973
Agreement signed with beneficiary – 776,427
Private houses reconstructed – 479,545
Private houses being rebuilt – 189,141
Vulnerable settlements identified – 4,929
Vulnerable settlements resettled – 4,204
Source: NRA

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.