Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program

Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program

Habitat for Humanity Nepal

March , 2017

1. Background
On April 25th and May 12th, 2015, devastating earthquakes with recorded magnitudes of
7.8 and 6.8, respectively, hit Nepal leaving more than 8,790 people dead and around
22,300 injured. These two major quakes were followed by hundreds of aftershocks
ranging between 4 and 6 on the Richter scale. In total, more than 498,852 houses were
destroyed and more than 256,697 houses were partially damaged. (Source: PDNA
executive summary report, NPC, 2015)
Habitat for Humanity Nepal (HABITAT NEPAL) supported earthquake-affected families to
clear the rubble immediately after the 25 th April earthquake by mobilizing local
volunteers to help families retrieve their belongings out of the rubble and clear the sites
and roads. More than 5,000 families were supported through temporary shelter kits in 5
major affected districts, which ensured they had a dry place to stay during monsoon
and also helped them upgrade their makeshift and temporary shelters. These temporary
shelters provided security for them and their belongings and gave them a decent place
to live. In December of 2015, HABITAT NEPAL distributed more than 2,400 winterization
kits in four remote village development committees (VDCs) of Nuwakot district.

2.1. Program ID card

Program Name Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program (NEAP)
Location Program Area 1:
Kavrepalanchowk District, Panchkhal Municipality, Ward 1 to 5
Program Area 2:
Nuwakot District, Salme VDC, Ward 1 to 9
Program Area 3:
Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Ward 6 and 8

Program Goals To assist the recovery of the earthquake affected population by

strengthening their self-coping capacity, increasing their disaster
resilience and enabling them by providing access to safer housing
solutions.
Program 1. Increase disaster resilience by empowering communities
Objectives through participatory method.
2. Provide non-financial technical support through housing
support services and increase local knowledge of build back
safer methodologies, enabling communities to self-recover.
3. Facilitate self-recovery of earthquake affected households
through tiered support as per vulnerability index according to
GoN guidelines.
4. Strengthen access to quality construction materials and
labor.
Start Date June 2016
End Date April 2018
Overall Budget USD $ 3,624,453/-
Targeted Total Households (HHs)
Households 2950 HHs in Panchkhal Municipality, 607 HHs in Salme VDC and

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220 HHs in Tupche VDC

2.2. Program Description

The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) formed by Government of Nepal in January
2016 to support reconstruction activities, published various guidelines for I/NGOs to
follow. The aim was to regularize the program approach and ensure equitable
distribution of support to all affected families in all earthquake affected districts. Habitat
Nepal designed the Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program (NEAP) in keeping with the
governments guidelines for earthquake assistance.
This community-based program will facilitate owner-driven self-recovery of earthquake-
affected households through Social Mobilization, Technical Assistance, Tiered Assistance
and Market Development. These four program pillars can be further sub-divided into
various Program Activities.
Participation and community engagement are the key elements of this project. In
accordance with GoN regulations, HABITAT NEPAL is implementing the program at the
district level in partnership with local NGOs: Architecture Sans Frontieres (ASF) and
Partnership for Sustainable Development (PSD) and in coordination with other
stakeholders. HABITAT NEPAL is working with partner organization to build up their
programmatic capacity for effective implementation of activities under NEAP. HABITAT
NEPAL and Partners coordinate with the government and non-governmental agencies to

Pillar 1: Pillar 2: Pillar 3: Pillar 4:

Social MobilizationTechnical Assistance Tiered Assistance Market Development

roject Briefing TOT for Mason Training

Grantfor
Disbursement
Engineers Housing Market Supply Chain
eneficiary Enrollment Mason Training for
GIK
Skilled
Support
Mason
(As building
Vocational
Material) Training
articipatory Methodology (PASSA)
Mason Training for
Skilled
Unskilled
Labor
Mason
Support Construction
for Vulnerable Households
Related Enterprise Develop
ousing Recovery and Reconstruction
Housing Support
MappingGIK
Service
(GIS)
Support
Centre
(For
(HSSC)
Repair
Construction
and retrofit) Equipment Library

share the project progress and challenges for necessary support from those agencies.
3. Program Progress
3.1. Pillar 1: Social Mobilization
Project Briefing / Community Meetings
Program Area 1, 2 & 3
Meetings are being held with individual households and even in groups to orient them
on Build Back Safer messages, new information/notices from government on grant
disbursement system, technical inspection procedure.

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The households have been informed regarding the latest announcements, grant
distribution system, approval systems for the designs from the government, approval
systems from government on applying for the 2nd tranche of the reconstruction grants.
Beneficiary Enrollment
Program Area 1: Kavrepalanchowk District, Panchkhal Municipality, Wards 1 to 5
During the first phase of enrolment households which were missed in the beneficiary
despite of being affected by the earthquake and families who had issues with the land
or documentation had filed grievance. The government has formed a committee to
address those grievances. Those grievances have been divided into three groups: first
were enlisted as earthquake affected, second that needs to be verified and third those
who will not be enlisted.
Participatory Approach for Safe Shelter Awareness (PASSA):
Program Area 1, 2 & 3
The issues that are in the community or related with the project are being discussed in
the PASSA meetings. PASSA groups tries to find the solution for the issues that they are
facing in the community. They also try
PASSA Groups in all program areas are meeting regularly to discuss reconstruction
related issues in community.
PASSA Groups in Panchkhal met this march to finalize remaining households to receive
GIK/Labor support for vulnerable households.
In Salme members were concerned in construction of private houses as well as helping
a most vulnerable member of community in construction of her house. Few members
who were working as mason formed a working team to support in reconstruction.
PASSA groups from Tupche met to discuss on activities related to NEAP mostly, top up/
GIK/Labor supports, equipment library, volunteer mobilization etc.
Housing Recovery and Reconstruction Mapping (HRRM)
Program Area 1, 2 & 3
A real time reporting and update of monitoring and evaluation information based on
monitoring and evaluation template is being developed in collaboration with consultant
which will be useful for tracking progress against target and quality against standard
A work progress update system to be done by field staffs has been developed which will
be available at any time in the web.
3.2. Pillar 2: Technical Assistance:
Mason Training for Skilled Mason:
Program Area 1, 2 & 3
HfHN has trained 146 masons through skilled mason training in all three program areas
through 5 skilled mason training. Those masons have been listed in the HSSC to link
them with the home partners for the construction. Those trained masons are much in
demand by the home partners for their construction. Currently, there is high demand of
human resource in construction industry because of limited work force and large
number of construction works. Masons trained under NEAP are supporting households
by constructing earthquake resistant houses following building codes and standards
which they learned during 7 days skilled mason training.
Mason Training for Unskilled Mason:
Program Area 1 & 2
28 community members were trained for unskilled mason in Panchkhal Municipality
which started from 23rd Dec. 2016, It includes 30 days of closed in-house training
followed by 20 days of OJT. Once they complete the required 390 hours or 50 days, the

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participants will be certified from HfHN as a trained mason. The participants can to
complete 390 hours of training to be eligible for attaining skilled test by CTEVT (Council
for Technical Education and Vocational Training). Once, they pass this test, they can also
go and work abroad as a skilled mason.
Similar training was conducted in Salme VDC where 27 community members were
trained as unskilled mason. It started from 22rd Jan, completed 22nd Feb. (closed in-
house training) followed by OJT.

Most of these participants didnt have regular paying jobs before this training but now
are trying their hands-on buildings being constructed in these areas as unskilled mason
and getting paid for their services by homeowners.
Program Area 3: Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Wards 6 and 8
Planning for the training and selection of participants is ongoing in Tupche followed by
search for land plot for demo house to be constructed during the training. (Community
has suggested to build a model house of a vulnerable family in Tupche)
Housing Support Service Centre (HSSC):
Construction of houses involves physical construction as well as pre-construction works
like site clearance administrative/ building approval process, management of
materials/masons, building drawings/designs. It has been observed that households are
not aware of these complexities and need support from professionals. Habitat Nepal is
supporting households in these aspects as well as technical support during construction
through HSSC.
HSSC is receiving encouraging number of visitors for numerous supports that it
provides.

Program Area 1: Kavrepalanchowk District, Panchkhal Municipality, Wards 1 to 5

65 Individuals in Jan. and 57 Individuals in Feb. and 69 in March visited HSSC for
Technical support and other Program related concerns.
This quarter, 45 households (30 completed, 15 ongoing) are provided with engineering
drawings for their houses, 93 HHs are receiving support for land documentation and
verification, 26 HHs are receiving support in municipal approval so far
Program Area 2: Nuwakot District, Salme VDC, Wards 1 to 9
175 individuals were served through HSSC during up to March. Out of total 539
household of Salme VDC, which include 43 of Habitat Nepals grant recipients, 70
houses are under construction and receiving technical support from HSSC.
Program Area 3: Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Wards 6 and 8
125 Individuals visited HSSC for Technical support and other Program related concerns.
59 households receiving technical supports from HSSC.
Technical Supervision:
The houses that are under construction are being continuously being supervised by the
site supervisors on daily basis. This construction is helping the families to meet all the
technical standards specified in the technical inspection guideline in each level
(foundation, superstructure and roofing). Once, the house reached the level for applying
for next tranche of reconstruction grants, government officials will be requested to
come to the site for the approval. Once, the government approves the construction then
the families will be eligible to receive the next tranche.
Program Area 1: Kavrepalanchowk District, Panchkhal Municipality, Wards 1 to 5

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107 houses are undergoing construction in Panchkhal municipality out of which 59 are
Habitat Nepals grant/top up recipients. These houses are under regular technical
supervision by the site supervisors. These houses are receiving technical supervision as
per requirement.
Program Area 2: Nuwakot District, Salme VDC, Wards 1 to 9
43 houses of Habitat Nepals grants recipients are under construction and are being
supervised very closely by the site supervisors. Other than those, 1 house has been
completed construction under the direct technical supervision of HSSC and 22 families
were completed before the reconstruction process started. NEAP presence in Salme.
Program Area 3: Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Wards 6 and 8
Currently, 46 houses are under construction in Tupche VDC under the direct supervision
of site supervisors. 27 houses completed the construction out of which 12 houses
completed their construction work under the direct supervision of HSSC and 15
households were completed before NEAP presence in Tupche.
3.3. Pillar 3: Tiered Assistance
Grant Disbursement
Program Area 1: Kavrepalanchowk District, Panchkhal Municipality, Wards 1 to 5
34 new households received their first trench tranche in Panchkhal in this quarter
making total HHs receiving first trench tranche 233. While 36 households completed
their DPC and got inspected by Municipality as well as DLPIU followed by approval for
getting second tranche. These 36 HHs received their second tranche of reconstruction
grants and are construction the superstructure.

Program Area 2: Nuwakot District, Salme VDC, Wards 1 to 9

11 households from Salme VDC received their first tranche making total HHs receiving
first tranche 99. Among this 19 HHs has been inspected and approved by the
government. These HHs have applied for the 2 nd tranche of the reconstruction grants.

Program Area 3: Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Wards 6 and 8

Habitat Nepal reimbursed first tranche of 209 HHs out of 220 HHs of Tupche VDC (Wards
6 and 8) to NRA (National Reconstruction Authority) as it was distributed by them before
NEAP was extended to Tupche.
GIK Support (As Building Material):
Program Area 1, 2 & 3
39 vulnerable HHs who started constructing their houses received GIK support of worth
NRs. 50,000/- in Panchkhal Municipality while 23 HHs from Salme and 9 HHs from
Tupche VDC received the same.
Skilled Labor Support for Vulnerable Households:
Program Area 1 & 3
6 of the most vulnerable households have received labor support (for construction until
DPC/Plinth Beam) from Global Village program of Habitat Nepal along with other
technical construction supports while In Tupche, total of 22 HHs have received labor
support from CAM volunteers out of which 11 were served during month of march.
GIK Support (For Repair and retrofit):
Program Area: 1, 2 & 3
In the revised guidelines for grants disbursement GoN has stated that households will
be receiving total of NRs. 100,000/- for Repair and retrofit (in two equal installments).

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Yet the HHs receiving these grants should be published and Selection criteria is to be
finalized.
Some organizations (NSET, Build Change) are taking initiative in providing technical
support to these HHs and Habitat Nepal has started coordinating with these
organization to support HHs seeking support in repair and retrofit.
3.4. Pillar 4: Market Development
Housing Market Supply Chain:
Program Area: 1, 2 & 3
Rapid market assessment was conducted by a consultant for the program area and a
draft report was published. Vendors and price lists from all the program areas are
collected and published in respective HSSCs. The list is serving HHs to select
appropriate vendors to get their construction materials at reasonable price and
proximity.
Vocational Training
Vocational trainings like Plumbing, house wiring and carpentry is being discussed and
planned. The present human resources at the program areas are not being sufficient
enough for the construction.
Program Area 3: Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Wards 6 and 8
A two day CSEB (Compressed Stabilized Earth Blocks) Making training was conducted
from 1st to 2nd FEB where in total 38 participants were involved (13 attaining both days).
CSEB has been enlisted as alternative material for reconstruction and published in
second volume of house design catalogue recently published by DUDBC (Department of
Urban development and Building Construction).
Construction Related Enterprise Development:
Program Area: 1, 2 & 3
Some needed enterprises have been identified by PASSA groups as well as field
assessment. The discussion related to management mechanism of these enterprises is
being explored with PASSA groups, community as well as HABITAT NEPAL/Partner.

Construction Equipment Library:

Program Area 1: Kavrepalanchowk District, Panchkhal Municipality, Wards 1 to 5
5 CSEB machines are purchased in Panchkhal and are being used by households to
press their own CSEB. Along with this HSSC is coordinating to provide metal form works
to houses being constructed. 7 Households borrowed these machines/formwork/both
this quarter.
Program Area 2: Nuwakot District, Salme VDC, Wards 1 to 9
Currently, 30 types of tools are available in the equipment library in Salme. Hacksaw,
level pipe, measuring tape, hammer, plump bob, pan etc. are purchased and stored in
construction equipment library.
32 households borrowed tools from the library this quarter. Type of tools, name of HH,
date of issued and returned is recorded on hard and soft copy.
Program Area 3: Nuwakot District, Tupche VDC, Wards 6 and 8
9 households borrowed the equipment and tools that are in construction equipment
library like wheel barrow, tools for digging, shovel, buckets, tarpaulin, rammer, plumb-
bob, etc. The household are using the tools to construct the houses and when complete
they either return it back to HSSC or give it to other household who is going to start the
construction activity.

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Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program
Habitat for Humanity Nepal

4. Program Management
4.1 Details on General Management and Risk Management
Co-ordination and linkages:
Government Officials from NRA, DUDBC, DDC and Municipality visited Panchkhal Project
site on 6th January 2017. The team included Er. Asta Lal Suwal (DUDBC Division Head,
Kavre), Mr. Dhurba Gaida (NRA District Head, Kavre), Mr. Basudev Bhetwal (CEO
Paanchkhal Municipality), Er. Ram Prasad Khanal (DDC engineer) visited Unskilled Mason
Training/ Demo House Construction site and 4 House construction site of beneficiaries.
The objective of the visit was to observe ongoing construction practices and to inform
the respective authorities about the prevalent/possible challenges of reconstruction
phase. The team also monitored CSEB bricks making and were impressed to see this
technology and asked to promote in other community as well. NRA District Head Mr.
Dhurba Gaida said that Habitat Nepal has set an example by including more than 50%
women in the training.
NRA official from Nuwakot District, Mr. Dev Prasad Gaudel visited the Tupche site on
15th February 2017. He visited 15 under construction houses and the CAM volunteers.
He expressed to provide the necessary support to us for the approval of those houses
and disbursement of 2nd installment of housing grants to the families.
The updates of Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program (NEAP) were shared to the Central
level government stakeholders during a Central Level Program Advisory Committee
(CPAC) meeting organized by Habitat Nepal in Kathmandu. There were representatives
from various NGO regulating bodies of government.

SWC visit to Nuwakot??

- 24 & 25 March, 2017
- Mr. Dilli
- Mr. Bhojraj
- Mr. Ram sharma
- Mr. Hari Tiwari

Challenges:
Main Challenge:
The major concern
Mitigation:
Intense follow ups and coordination with government bodies is being done by the
teams at both central and district levels.

Challenges at Local Level:

Extensive increase in construction has increased overall increase in work load of
officials and professionals in program areas. The human resource allocated for
regular development works is proving to be insufficient during reconstruction. This
has played counterproductive role in flow of reconstruction. E.g.: Officials in
Municipality responsible for building approval and inspection of houses being built
etc.
High demand of construction material and manpower.
Mitigation
Meetings with government officials and bodies regarding observed gaps.

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Market study, promotion of alternative materials is under way which will produce
alternative ways and materials of delivering quality and abundant materials. Second
volume of house design catalog has presented forward new ways of building
technology and materials.

4.2 Knowledge and Learning Sharing

Lessons Learned:
While considering reconstruction after major disasters available resources are never
enough to cope with immediate increased demand hence continuous monitoring and
evaluation of the scenario with proper problem solving intervention can only address
the issue.

ANNEXES:
Success stories
One of the participant of the training and an active member of PASSA group:
Sambar Bahadur Rimal of ward 6 Tupche VDC used the CSEB/CEB machine from
equipment library to produce blocks for his temporary house which he is planning
to complete before monsoon. Within two days 130 CSEBs were made by him with
support from two of his family member. He is willing to prepare 4000 CSEBs for his
temporary house. CSEB has made a good impression in the program areas as well
as provided decent solution as alternative to prevalent construction materials.

In the male dominated construction industry, 13 females from Salme VDC

participated in Unskilled Mason Training making their way to this business. It was
exciting to know that out of 27 participants 13 were female in this rural village of
Nepal. As the 30 days closed training with demo house was completed on 22nd
Feb the participants were immediately mobilized to 4 different construction sites
for real time involvement and On the Job (OJT) part of the Training. These
participants will work in the construction site with prevalent wedge for unskilled
mason in the community.

Sirimaya Tamang a female participant of the unskilled mason training made

following remarks after completion of the training I want to further apply my
learnings I received from this training to build houses which will personally make
me a good mason and help me to earn money on my own

6 HHs received labor support while building foundation of their respective houses
through Global Village Program in Panchkhal Municipality. These households were
among identified 37 HHs most vulnerable households in the community by PASSA
groups. They were in no condition to start the construction with their own support
because of their dire economic condition as well as family situation.

Habitat Nepal and its Partner mobilized volunteers as well as participants of

Unskilled Mason training to facilitate in the construction of the foundation of their
houses. Top-ups and other tiered assistance supports are being planned to
facilitate the families for complete construction of the houses as they have no

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other sources to complete the construction if government allocated grants were

not enough.

Pictures

Photo 1: Er. Asta Lal Suwal (DUDBC Division Head, Kavre), Mr. Dhurba Gaida (NRA
District Head, Kavre) during visit to monitor program activities in Kavre

Photo 2: CAM volunteers

working in plinth beam in Tupche

VDC

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Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program
Habitat for Humanity Nepal

Photo 3: Regular PASSA meetings ongoing in Kavre

Photo 4: Demo house built during unskilled mason training in Kavre district.

Photo 5: Community
Awareness program on Build back safer and technical inspection in one of the
community in Tupche VDC.

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Nepal Earthquake Assistance Program
Habitat for Humanity Nepal

Photo 5: Community
Awareness program on
Build back safer and technical
inspection

Building strength, stability, self-reliance and shelter