A devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Nepal on April 25, 2015, with its epicentre in the Gorkha district, northwest of the country’s capital, Kathmandu. Nearly 9,000 people lost their lives in the tragedy, tens of thousands were injured, and entire towns and villages were destroyed. Millions of people were forced from their homes due to the immense devastation, which prompted a significant international aid response.
The impacted communities have shown amazing resiliency and resolve in rebuilding their homes and lifestyles in the years after the earthquake. Numerous domestic and international partnerships, most notably the Gorkha Housing Reconstruction Project (GHRP), played a major role in this recovery. With the help of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and funding from the Indian government, families in Gorkha have been able to reconstruct stronger, more durable homes.
What Was The Cause?
Thrust faulting on or near the main frontal thrust of the Himalayas, an area noted for seismic activity, was the main cause of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, also known as the Gorkha earthquake. The Indian Plate pushing northward against the Eurasian Plate has created geological instability in this area by accumulating stress over centuries and releasing it in the form of devastating earthquakes. The devastating incident in 2015 served as a sobering reminder of the region’s susceptibility to disasters and the necessity of better building practices and preparedness.
Gorkha Housing Reconstruction Project
On March 8, 2018, the Gorkha Housing Reconstruction Project was formally launched. Prior to that, the Government of India and UNDP had collaborated to offer socio-technical support to more than 26,000 homeowners in the Gorkha area. The initiative, which focuses on reconstruction work in 42 wards, is spread across two urban and six rural municipalities. Administrative support, technical guidance on-site, and capacity building for nearby masons and homeowners are all included in the assistance given.
Technical support includes assistance with design, drafting, and the building permit procedure, as well as advice on disaster-resistant elements, government regulations, and construction technologies. In order to improve the homes’ long-term sustainability and safety, the project also encourages the installation of appropriate disaster-resistant technologies.
Achievements and Impact
Significant progress has been made by the GHRP since its establishment. With the project’s aid, over 24,000 households have successfully built resilient homes. This entails creating housing that complies with codes, obtaining the required licences, and making housing funds and resources more accessible. With a special emphasis on inclusivity, the programme has made sure that over 2,500 needy households get the assistance they need to construct safe houses.
Additionally, the project has greatly aided in the development of local capacity by training almost 2,000 masons in durable and economically viable construction techniques. More than 3,000 households have benefited from the opening of Building Permit Studios and the district’s use of mobile technology vans to show off earthquake-safe building techniques.
Cultural events and more than 310 radio broadcasts have been part of a massive social mobilisation campaign aimed at educating and involving the population in reconstruction efforts. The deployment of Awas Nirman Saathis, local masons trained to facilitate reconstruction, is a noteworthy example of local involvement. They performed over 244,000 door-to-door visits with engineers and social mobilizers.
The Role of STS Global
As a member of the Owner-Driven Reconstruction Collaborative, STS Global has been instrumental in the project’s success. In addition to ensuring that the capacity of the community is being built and homes are being rebuilt, STS Global has been instrumental in helping the community become more resilient against future disasters.
The Way Ahead
The Gorkha Housing Reconstruction Project is a critical turning point in Nepal’s ongoing transition from resilience to recovery. Through an emphasis on community involvement and sustainable restoration, the project not only repairs homes but also strengthens the human spirit to face the difficulties of future disasters. As the project develops, it will remain a symbol of hope and resiliency for the people of Nepal, demonstrating the strength of teamwork in the face of difficulty.
By: Namit Pandey
Disclaimer: This post is provided by an agency, our journalists were not involved in writing this article.