May 26, 2020

On April 25, 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake and dozens of aftershocks left the central part of Nepal in ruins. More than 7,000 people have been confirmed dead and 15,000 injured (as of May 3rd, 2015), and the number is bound to increase in the days to come. Hundreds of thousands of buildings, including those with immense historical significance, have collapsed; boundary walls have fallen and roads have cracked. Remote regions particularly have been more badly hit. Preliminary reports and rescue workers’ observation suggest that more than 90% of the buildings in rural villages of Gorkha, Lamjung, Rasuwa and Sindhupalchowk have either been damaged or destroyed. These remote areas are where the devastation is least reported but the effect is most widespread. Numerous technical and adaptive challenges have made it harder for swift immediate relief and recovery efforts in these areas.

Rescue and relief work, though largely uncoordinated, is underway that has seen involvement of various governmental bodies, security forces and independent volunteers. The role of independent volunteers and organizations working at ground level has been integral in helping with the temporary rehabilitation of the survivors, if not in the rescue, which requires strong support from government regulated Police Force and Army. Despite great enthusiasm among the field volunteers, the local resources most likely will deplete sooner rather than later. Without systematic flow of resources and its appropriate use, temporary rehabilitation can inevitably reach a gridlock. The issue needs special attention with monsoon approaching. Furthermore, we are less than prepared for the long term rehabilitation at present. Once the relief work is over, the main concern would be rebuilding houses along with reconstructing education, health and communication infrastructure.

Through this initiative, we strive to harness collective skills, resources and passion of citizens in Nepal and abroad to restore, reconstruct and rehabilitate the nation. By creating direct impact on the ground, we envision a resilient nation that shall overcome the devastation resulted by the current calamity. We aim to bring forth individuals, from Nepal and abroad, who can work together and share their expertise in bringing direct impact to the shaken grounds of Nepal. Our short term objectives most definitely involve efficient relief of the survivors. However, our focus goes beyond it to long term goals involving rebuilding not just houses, but education, health and employment opportunities for the citizens. We aim to rehabilitate the survivors in the economy through training programs, particularly in agriculture, social entrepreneurship and tourism. 

 

This initiative is a unique opportunity to work in unison, in the truest sense, for a better and stronger Nepal. We aim to put forward a transparent initiative that has updates on need assessment and progress through newsletters, websites and social media. We, therefore, strongly request organizations, institutes and individuals to come forth and join our initiative. We invite professionals and amateurs, educators and students, individuals and organizations, everyone enthusiastic to support us with expertise, funding and networking for long-term rehabilitation of Nepal.