BBB message reached villages: NRA

Kathmandu, Apr. 26:

Dr. Govinda Raj Pokharel, chief executive officer of the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA), Wednesday said that although there were many challenges in expediting recovery works, message of ‘build back better (BBB)’ had reached villages which has resulted in better understanding in people about the earthquake resilient houses.

Addressing a seminar on ‘From post-earthquake reconstruction to disaster risk reduction’, he said that the reconstruction body was putting its efforts to facilitate the quake-victim families by simplifying the procedures of grant distribution and house construction.

“We are aware that the reconstruction work has not been moving as fast as it should but we are expediting the process at multiple fronts. So far, about 31 per cent of the quake-affected families have begun to construct their houses,” he said.

Dr. Pokharel also said that the lack of human resources, construction materials and access to finance has affected the house reconstruction.

NRA spokesperson Yam Lal Bhoosal provided the latest updates on government’s reconstruction efforts and its renewed strategy for accelerating the pace of reconstruction.

“About 43,000 houses have been reconstructed and 35,651 families have applied for the second tranche of the grant. Likewise, 49,842 houses are under construction,” he said.

According to Bhoosal, the government has addressed about 142,000 grievances and supported 19,866 families with Rs. 100,000 to retrofit their houses.

Kimio Takeya, distinguished technical advisor to the president of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said that Japan could support in enhancing disaster risk reduction (DRR) resilience from its first-hand experience as an earthquake prone country.

He urged the government to invest in disaster preparedness in order to reduce the damage and loss of property and lives in disasters.

“The devastating earthquake has created a unique opportunity for Nepal for BBB. Therefore, it should learn from the disaster and activities so far and try to address it through pragmatic policy approaches and activities,” said Takeya.

Japanese ambassador to Nepal Masasi Ogawa reiterated that Japan would continue to support the BBB in Nepal.

Japan has committed Rs. 30 billion for reconstruction support to Nepal.

“Among JICA’s recovery assistance, housing and school reconstruction are the two major projects currently ongoing. Almost 10,000 people have been trained on quake-resistant housing,” said Jun Sakuma, chief representative of JICA Nepal.

JICA is supporting Nepal in the areas of school building reconstruction, and rehabilitation of heritage and public infrastructure such as hospitals, bridges, health posts, police offices and VDC offices.  

The seminar was organised by the NRA and MoHA with support from JICA to highlight progress and achievements in the last two years including JICA’s contribution in the areas of recovery and reconstruction works.