| Prakash Sanjel Social Mobilizer
Bagmati Rural Municipality, Lalitpur | | | fEATURED TEchnical staff story: PRAkash sanjel, social mobilizer,bagmati rural municipality,lalitpur Prakash Sanjel has a long experience of working in the social mobilization sector before he joined as Social Mobilizer for the Bagmati Rural Municipality (Gaunpalika) appointed by DLPIU-Building, Lalitpur. He was assigned to oversee only three wards of the Gaunpalika and jointly with his colleagues, he handled responsibility of one ward. Tracking vulnerable beneficiaries, sensitizing them for housing reconstruction, extending door-to-door assistance, supervision, monitoring, commitment collection for housing reconstruction and construction completion certificate distribution are some of his major responsibilities. Besides this, he also facilitated dialogue between earthquake affected beneficiaries and local level government for generating required support for reconstruction. Read more... | | | | A webinar report on NRA Disengagement and NDRRMA Engagement Plan: On 10 May 2021, HRRP in consultation with National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) organized an interaction meeting/ webinar with the objective of understanding NRA's exit strategy and its disengagement plan (as it nears it mandate by end of Dec 2021) and the planned of NDRRMA including other government agencies and local governments. Dr. Chandra Bahadur Shrestha, Executive Committee Member from NRA and Mr. Anil Pokhrel, Executive Director form NDRRMA made a presentation followed by a brief question and answer session. It was explicitly mentioned that the transition process is already underway and therefore engagement of development partners and I/NGOs is very essential with all federal, provincial and local governments to make meaningful impact and make concerted efforts in promoting disaster resilient Nepal. | | A new research report published on Post-earthquake Urban Housing Recovery in Nepal: Challenges & Recommendations: On 21 May, a new study report titled 'Post-Earthquake Urban Housing Recovery in Nepal: Challenges & Recommendations (To contribute towards developing an urban recovery strategy)' has been published by HRRP and the UR-TWG in collaboration with CRS-Nepal, NSET, LUMANTI and UKAID, with invaluable support and guidance from the GoN/NRA and NRA/Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CLPIU- Building).
The study consisted of a mix of qualitative and quantitative methods and was conducted in several earthquake-affected districts, starting January 2020. | | The study was completed in August 2020 and analysis was carried out, which provided a detailed diagnosis of urban recovery issues and helped identify key issues as major constraints hindering urban recovery such as access to finance and land issues, among others with recommendations. Study was conducted with support from NRA, CLPIU-Building, GMaLI, DLPIUs and NRA technical staff, and core UR-TWG members (LUMANTI, NSET, CRS & HRRP). Involvement and support from national and international urban experts and institutions in-between was instrumental in the conducting of this research. The outcome of this research was recently published on 21 May 2021. Please click here for full report publication. For further information please contact - Bishan Wagle, Urban Coordination Officer, uco@hrrpnepal.org
Urban Recovery Strategy Study update : Ongoing KII with urban stakeholders and local governments
HRRP is coordinating the ongoing Urban recovery strategy study (March-June) on urban issues commissioned by NRA with technical support by NSET, CRS and HRRP. An independent consultant team with lead consultant, Mr. Surya Bhakta Sangachhe, Urban Expert, is leading the study. The objective of the study is to collate learning elements and prepare ground for integration of evidence-based urban strategies into specific government Acts, Policies, Working procedures and Regulation.
As part of the study various high-level events, such as the consultative meeting of 02 April titled, "Taking Forward Urban Housing Reconstruction Strategic Issues" organized by the NRA/CLPIU-Building and supported by CRS, NSET, UKAID and HRRP was held in Kathmandu with the objective of obtaining endorsement on the study approach and to discuss key issues and gaps in the identified policies and legal provisions in the context of ongoing urban recovery. Similarly, on 12 April, the NRA organized a follow-up validation team meeting with 5 expert members of the validation team to discuss issues that came up in the consultative meeting.
The consultant/study team is currently collating information, data and drafting the report sections while holding Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with urban stakeholders, local governments among others. As of last week of May, around half of the planned KIIs (of 15) have been completed while others are in the pipeline for June and the KIIs schedule has been understandably impacted due to the COVID-19 2nd wave and the ongoing prohibitory orders in place. KIIs have so far been held with President of Municipal Association of Nepal (MuAN), CEO of Nepal Bankers Association (NBA), Chairperson of Maya Foundation, Managing Director of Dwarika's Hotel, Advisor to Mayor of Lalitpur Metropolitan City (LMC), Ward Chair of Khokana, LMC and President of Nepal Microfinance Bankers' Association (NMBA). More KIIs are being planned. Together with the KIIs, an analysis of issues coming out from these interviews is being done by the study team. Likewise, desk review of the NRA's 22 policies and guidelines is also being carried out to understand any gaps. For more information, please write to - Bishan Wagle, Urban Coordination Officer; uco@hrrpnepal.org
HRRP jointly with NRA and the partners organized webinar on the topic "Housing Recovery of Vulnerable Households (HHs): Lessons from the Field"
On 28 May, HRRP in consultation with NRA and the partners, organized a partner sharing session entitled "Housing Recovery of Vulnerable Households (HHs): Lessons from the Field." The objective of the sharing session was to share best practices of housing recovery and reconstruction efforts of vulnerable households and learn from each other's experience. Mott MacDonald and CRS-Nepal shared their lessons learnt from the field experience while Dr. Chandra Bahadur Shrestha from NRA, Ms. Jasmine Rajbhandary from World Bank and Mr Narayan Prasad Panday, Chairperson, Tadi Rural Municipality (Nuwakot district) and Mr. Om Bahadur Gurung, Chairperson, Dordi Rural Municipality (Lamjung district) respectively provided their feedback and comments on the working approach and ways of further scaling up the work at local levels. It was noted that engagement with local governments, use of local construction materials and holistic program support approach is critical for the overall housing recovery and reconstruction of vulnerable HHs. Accordingly, more intense coordination and collaboration with local governments is required to overcome the barriers of economic constraints, lack of information, geographical remoteness, social barriers and lack of family support faced by the vulnerable HHs. It is necessary for partners to come together to scale up housing reconstruction of vulnerable HHs so that no one is left behind in the reconstruction process. Such sharing sessions will continue through the Vulnerable Support Working Group (VSWG) in coming months. For more information, contact: HRRP General Coordination-Team Lead, Ruplal Aidi: nco2@hrrpnepal.org
Economic Impact Study Update: HRRP is coordinating the Economic Impact Study executed by a team of three independent consultants, technically supported by NRA. As of 31 May, 66% of 6,600 households have responded to survey questions. The COVID-19 pandemic has been the major issue that has impacted greatly in the timely completion of the survey questions. As of now, the consultants have completed key informant interviews (KII) with NRA Executive Members, NDRRMA Senior Executive Officials, development partners, I/NGO staff members including local government officials. For more information, contact HRRP District Management Team - Coordinator, Mr. Sufi Mohammad Faiz (9851241401) dmt.coord@hrrpnepal.org | | | Ward-4, Changunarayan Municipality, Bhaktapur: Two-roomed house built of hollow concrete bricks, a flexible roof in plan and has used salvaged materials. The house owner is a single woman and falls into the vulnerable beneficiary category. Team of Mobile Masons and Social Mobilizers were involved in the housing reconstruction. The house owner has already received the first tranche and he has jointly processed applications for the second and third tranche. | | | | Ward-7, Khadadevi Rural Municipality, Ramechhap: Stone in Mud Mortar (SMM) under construction with RCC band and attic. The house owner has applied for the third tranche. The house owner has received the second tranche and has applied for the third tranche. | | | | Ward-3, Gokarneshwor Municipality, Kathmandu: Two storey RCC structure house listed under retrofitting category. The house had 9" X 9'' columns. | | | | Ward-5, Chaurideurali Rural Municipality, Kavrepalanchowk: Stone with Mud Mortar (SMM) house construction is completed. Mobile Mason supported house construction under technical guidance from ward technical staff. The house owner has received upto second tranches from the Government Housing Grant and has applied for subsequent tranche. | | | | Ward-7, Bhimphedi Rural Municipality, Makwanpur: Brick in Cement Mortar (BMC) house under construction with CGI roofing with concrete block structure with two rooms. House owner has received only the first tranche only from the Government Housing Grant and has applied for the subsequent tranche. | | | | Ward-3, Mahakulung Rural Municipality, Solukhumbu: Stone in Mud Mortar (SMM) House with wooden band. The house owner has received all the tranches from the Government Housing Grant. | | | | Ward-12, Bidur Municipality, Nuwakot: Stone Mud Mortar (SMM) house under construction supported by DLPIU's Mobile Mason. The house owner has received a second tranche from the Government Housing Grant. | | | | Ward-4, Helambu Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchwok: Load Bearing Structure house Brick and Cement Mortar Masonry (BMC) with RCC bands and CGI roofing. The house owner has received all the tranches from the government housing grant. | | | | Ward-6, Dordi Rural Municipality, Lamjung: Single-Storey Load Bearing Stone Masonry in Cement Mortar (SMC) house with plinth area less than 1000 sq feet. The house has all the horizontal and vertical RCC bands at all levels with a flexible floor. The house owner has received a third tranche from the Government Housing Grant. | | | Prakash Sanjel, Social Mobilizer, Bagmati Rural Municipality, Lalitpur: Prakash Sanjel has long experience of working in the social mobilization sector before he joined as Social Mobilizer for Bagmati Rural Municipality (Gaunpalika), appointed by DLPIU Building Lalitpur. He was assigned to oversee only three wards of the Gaunpalika and jointly with his colleagues, he handled responsibility of one ward. | | Tracking vulnerable beneficiaries, sensitizing them for housing reconstruction, extending door to door assistance, supervision, monitoring, commitment collection for housing reconstruction and construction completion certificate distribution are some of his major responsibilities. Besides this he also facilitated dialogue between earthquake affected beneficiaries and local level government for generating required support for reconstruction.
He also initiated a social media platform whereby the entire NRA deployed social mobilizers in 14 highly earthquake affected districts connected in the same platform to share and compile success stories, case studies, best practices and achievements in housing reconstruction, especially of vulnerable beneficiaries.
According to him, almost 80% housing construction was completed by the end of March 2021. Furthermore, COVID-19 pandemic has created obstacles to complete reconstruction within the timeframe of NRA. Mr. Sanjel proudly shares that because of dedication and tireless effort by his team, they were successful in supporting the reconstruction of houses of three vulnerable beneficiaries. He is also grateful towards beneficiaries, who have taken their suggestions in positive ways that has further helped to create a conducive environment in connecting to the whole process of housing reconstruction. At the end, he added that their contract is ending in July 2021 as the NRA mandate approaches to end in December 2021, despite the remaining house reconstruction caseloads. | | Rajiv Bhujel, 12 years old, has been living with his aunt for the past four years. He is a resident of Bidur Municipality ward no 12, Nuwakot district . He is currently studying at class seven. He lost his father during the Gorkha Earthquake 2015. He used to stay in a temporary shelter along with his brother and sister which was supported by a social organization. His days were sorrowful after his mother eloped three years before. | | | He and his siblings had a dream to have their own house, but that was merely a dream after their mother had disappeared with a second tranche from the NRA. Their aunt is now supporting them for their daily needs after such pitiful conditions. Their mother had constructed till plinth level, but they don't have enough money for further reconstruction. Though some social organizations have supported their education, there was no one to support house reconstruction. He forgot his dream to be in his house. | | His aunt coordinated with local governments and POs to start housing reconstruction, but there was some technical issue to complete reconstruction support. She met ward chairperson and other organization representatives but they found it difficult to start reconstructing after plinth level.
| | | Upon the referral of the local ward chairperson Sabina Pandey visited his house for further support. Soon after that, she managed a trained mason from DLPIU and neighbors provided unskilled labor. Housing reconstruction was completed within 15 days. Now, Rajiv and his siblings have their own house. Four children are delighted to have their own house in a short period of time. | | | Number of households switching to grant type (May 2021): This data has been collected from the DLPIU offices by the HRRP District Coordination Teams. It will be updated as more information is received. | | | Number of households returning NRA Grant (May 2021): As of May 2021, 2,530 beneficiaries have voluntarily returned their tranche amount to the NRA. This data has been collected from the DLPIU offices. It will be updated as more information is received. | | Vulnerable Households Reconstruction (May 2021): Out of the total 18,505 NRA identified vulnerable households, 89% (16,558) have received the first tranche, 70% (12,928) have received the second tranche and 61% (11,358) have received the third tranche. In total 2,698 HHs have been supported by various partner organizations.
Grievances Data Update: As of May 2021, 15,643 grievances have been addressed by NRA, out of which 7,919 HHs have been enlisted as reconstruction beneficiaries and 7,724 as retrofitting beneficiaries.
| | | Reconstruction Caseload Remaining (May 2021): Retrofitting Caseload Remaining (May 2021):
Vulnerable Households Reconstruction Caseload Remaining (May 2021): Urban Reconstruction Caseload (May 2021):
Coverage of Socio Technical Assistance (May 2021): This is based on 5W data collection, May 2021.  The recovery profiles contain various updates on the reconstruction and recovery at the Municipal level for all 282 earthquake-affected municipalities . The municipalities are updating the profiles on a monthly basis with technical support from HRRP.
|  These highlights the reconstruction and retrofitting progress in all 32-earthquake affected districts at the municipal level. This data is updated by HRRP district staff in close coordination with municipal focal persons. The links will be automatically updated to provide the reconstruction snapshot (PDF) for the month. |  [CSV] , [PDF] A composite data-set for 282 municipalities (urban status, damage grade, reconstruction, retrofitting and vulnerable HHs as identified by NRA can be assessed here as CSV and PDF. The data-set is updated by the municipalities with support from HRRP. | | | | |
