Nepal Earthquake : Support for remote communities

An update on completed and ongoing post-earthquake reconstruction projects in Hagam

 PHASE Nepal has been running a number of relief, recovery and reconstruction projects in some of the most remote earthquake-affected areas of Sindhupalchok and Gorkha. In this report, we will cover a short update on the completed and ongoing reconstruction activities in Hagam village of Sindhupalchok.

Hagam village lies in the far northern terrain of Sindhupalchok district and was completely destroyed in the earthquake with no houses, schools or health post standing. Wish some immediate support in shelter and food materials. PHASE worked mainly in livelihood recovery via vegetable and poultry farming initiatives to more than 200 households and reconstruction of the public infrastructures such as schools and health facilities.

Talking about reconstruction, here is a list of ongoing and completed reconstruction projects in Hagam Village.

1. 90% completion of the construction of 2 high school buildings (20 roomed structure each with office rooms and school toilets )
2. Completion of 1 health post building (Completed last year)
3. Completion of 1 outreach clinic (completed this year)
4. Completion of a house for an elderly single woman who did not receive any government support.

Including all these, there are 9 different community building and 1 personal house recently rebuilt by PHASE as an effort to rebuild some of the most isolated communities. PHASE will continue to support the neediest communities who are still left behind in the aftermath of the great earthquake 2015.

“Earthquake is not in our control, and when it comes, leaves an unforgettable memory” recalls Bhuwan Singh Gurung of Ichhyakamana who lost his elder son in a landslide. He had started rebuilding his house but spent all his money on treating his wife for depression. He was only able to finish the foundation of his house. 

Many poor families like Gurung continue living in temporary shelters made from CGI(Corrugated Galvanised Iron) and straw after the earthquake of 2015. Now with PHASE's support, he has finally completed building his house. “Even my wife is happy now,” says Gurung. Targetting nearly 500 vulnerable families who have not been able to build their house even after 4 years of the earthquake, PHASE has been providing building materials and technical support to help these families build a new earthquake-resilient house.

PHASE continues its rebuilding of earthquake-affected communities in Ichhyakamana and Jwalamukhi rural municipalities of Chitwan and Dhading districts. We have built more than 300 houses till now and are closer to achieving our goal.

PHASE Nepal has been supporting some of the most vulnerable community members of the two remote villages of Chitwan and Dhading Districts namely Ichhyakamana and Jwalamukhi rural municipalities respectively.  With this shelter support project, it is providing technical and physical assistance to rebuild the houses for the identified families who are not able to rebuild their house even after the 4 years when their house was destroyed by the earthquake.

Here is a short update on the recent progress in this quarter:

Target :

Most Vulnerable Households: 250

Partially Vulnerable Households: 550

Total: 800

Achievement so far:

1. Completed Reconstruction of Houses in Chitwan :

Most Vulnerable Households: 96

Partially Vulnerable Households: 124

2. Completed Reconstruction of Houses in Dhading:

Most Vulnerable Households: 93

Partially Vulnerable Households: 78

Total Houses build so far: 391

Remaining Houses to Build: 409

Owing to the recent monsoon season, the construction of the houses have been a bit slow because of several reasons. For example, the dirt roads are non-functional because of monsoon rains, workers are busier in their seasonal farming and there is the risk of flood and landslides.

The work will further resume in full-fledged from Mid September onwards, after when the rainfall is expected to subside. 

Building shelter to the most vulnerable

In the fifth year of the great earthquake 2015, PHASE Nepal continues to support the affected communities this year with special focus on reaching the most vulnerable communities which are left behind without receiving any support.

With its earthquake recovery project, PHASE is building houses for some of the most vulnerable communities living in remote areas of Chitwan and Dhading with the theme of "Leave No One Behind".

With an aim of supporting 250 most vulnerable and 550 significantly vulnerable families, the project has already completed the rebuilding of 162 houses and 136 houses for the families of both categories respectively and is working to complete more house before the monsoon (rainy) season begins.

All the houses are build under the earthquake resistant designs approved by National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) of Nepal with trained masons.

PHASE appreciates all of its individual and institutional supporters for their continuous helping hand in rebuilding earthquake affected communities.

Rebuilding livelihood in Gorkha.

PHASE Nepal is working to rebuild the livelihoods of earthquake affected communities of some of the remote communities of Gorkha lying in the villages Kashigaun and Keraunja which were severely affected by the earthquake. Since 2016, PHASE has already empowered more than 600 earthquake affected households with intensive livelihood improvement programme, health services and education sector development.

Rebuilding Livelihoods in Gorkha

With its 5 year programme PHASE has been providing training, equipment and follow up technical support to do seasonal and off seasonal vegetable farming for the yearlong supply of vegetables. In addition PHASE has a also been providing these farmers with poultry rearing training , supporting required equipment and breeding chicks of Giriraj breed. The selected breed produces yearlong of eggs and apply supply of meat as they grow as big as 5-6 kilograms.

With this programme, the farmers who never had any knowledge and skills of improved vegetable and poultry farming before, has been producing enough for the family and also selling the surplus. These farmer who did only traditional farming of seasonal crops like millet, barley and corn, have an additional supply of vegetable and meat all year round.

"I have no words to express how greatful I am to PHASE Nepal. We had no house to live after earthquake, so was the condition of the other villages. PHASE came with CGI roofing sheets and construction equipment to help us rebuild our houses. After that they are helping us with this amazing project to produce nutritious foods utilizing our own resources, our land, our water and time. I grow cauliflowers, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, egg plant, okra, black eyed beans, peppers, radish and many other vegetables all year round. I have 15 Giriraj chicks 3 male and 12 female. We are from a remote place. It takes more than a day of walk to reach the nearest bus road. I really appreciate your work here in my village to help us rebuild our livelihoods." -Idam Gurung Farmer, Keraunja

 In addition to livelihood recovery programme, PHASE has been suppporting the communities with 24 hours emergency free health service and school sector development programme to further support the communities in an integrated manner.