Ready to Start

KAVRE, NEPAL: POST QUAKE UPDATE

Monsoon is finally over and families are looking forward to rebuild their lives, starting with the rebuilding of their houses. 5 months after the quake, major roads are repaired, cleared of debri and many villagers have successfully dismantled their damaged houses.

Bulle, Nala village in Kavre District

Basic way of dismantling a house – sliding bricks down one by one.

Cleared land ready for rebuild.

House #1: Ishori, single mother, is the first to get her land ready for the rebuild.

The first 5 families selected for the prototype houses in Nala village have cleared their damaged houses and prepared their land for the official start-work day on 7 October. This day is marked by a gathering of home owners, local community leaders and our team, followed by a simple ground breaking cum foundation laying ceremony at site.

Project Opening and Foundation Laying in Nala village on 7 October 2015

Long queues at petrol pumps are a common sight now.

An unofficial blockade at major border checkpoints between Nepal and India since 21 September threatens to hinder quake rebuilding efforts. Marginalized groups in the Tarai (southern region of Nepal) are staging public protests against the nation’s new constitution, demanding for better rights & representation. This India-backed blockade has led to an acute shortage of petrol and gas across Nepal. Fuel rationing has been in place since 28 September and price of commodities has increased. As of 30 September, private vehicles are bared from purchasing fuel. Shortage of cooking gas is also hurting businesses. If the blockade does not end soon, life will get harder and more uncertain for everyone. When people can’t commute, goods can’t be delivered and businesses can’t operate, the entire nation comes to a standstill. It feels like the country is under siege.

At times like this, we can only wait and hope for the best.

5 months after the quake, people are again rocked by instability – the political & economic kind.