Empower Nepal to Rebuild Safer Houses and Schools

In Nepal, nearly two years after the April and May 2015 earthquakes thousands of families are still living in temporary shelters. Build Change is taking on the task of enabling these families to return to a safe, earthquake resistant house by implementing a retrofitting program.

To date we have tested common building materials, ensuring that we know their structural properties. We have vetted new retrofit techniques, completing the retrofitting of two houses. And we have engaged communities, government agencies, and other organizations to advocate for retrofitting houses.

A country wide retrofit program would impact 192,577 families; require 33.4 megatons less materials; require 1.6 million weeks less labor; and save almost 1 billion dollars in reconstruction costs.

In addition, retrofitting houses provides value for money. A new build, following the Government of Nepal’s design costs, on average, 17,000 rupees per square meter; the average retrofit costs 3,000 rupees per square meter.

Early community feedback, shows that demand for retrofitting would likely increase if communities were more aware of its potential as a tool for building back better in combination with its cost, social and cultural benefits.

Binda Timalsina, whose house was damaged in the earthquake and recently retrofit with technical assistance from us, said, “In the beginning I was not convinced by the idea when engineers from Build Change came to me with a proposal for retrofitting. This was a really new concept and I could not trust it easily. However, during the construction process, I was pleased with the retrofitting techniques and the materials used.” Now Timalsina knows her house is as strong as a newly constructed one and considerably stronger than the original.

We thank you for your generous support so far and hope that you continue to help us enable families in Nepal to live in safe houses.

Links:

• Video with homeowners working with our retrofitting program!