Reconstruction in Nepal - themes folder of Caritas Switzerland

Reconstruction in Nepal

One year after the massive earthquake New schools for the future

After the devastating earthquake on 25 April 2015, Nepal lay in ruins.

Sindhupalchok, a district north-east of the capital Kathmandu, was among the worst-affected areas, with around 95 per cent of its infrastructure destroyed. Even during the emergency aid phase, Caritas Switzerland and Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation ensured the smooth continuation of school operations in Sindhupalchok by erecting 100 provisional schools. The construction of permanent, secure and

child-friendly school buildings to replace the provisional rooms started at the beginning of this year. To ensure that the children can enjoy their everyday school life in the new buildings, free from health risks and natural hazards, Caritas and its partners are also implementing programmes on hygiene and disaster risk reduction. In addition, Caritas is initiating campaigns designed to counteract the high risk of children leaving school prematurely after the earthquake.

From emergency relief to reconstruction

On 25 April 2015, Nepal was hit by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 on the Richter scale. Numerous aftershocks followed, including a second earthquake on 12 May 2015 measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale.

One year after the disaster Caritas, in cooperation with Helvetas, has begun the reconstruction work, supported by Swiss Solidarity, the Caritas network and numerous other partners.

In total, more than 9,000 people lost their lives in the disaster, while 700,000 houses and 7,000 schools lay in ruins across the country. One of the worst-hit areas was the rural district of Sindhupalchok north-east of the capital Kathmandu.

97 per cent of the people living in the district, which in terms of size and number of inhabitants is similar to the Canton of Ticino, were made homeless when the earthquake hit at midday. 89 per cent of all classrooms in Sindhupalchok were completely destroyed.

Immediately after the first earthquake, Caritas Switzerland supported the Caritas network in the distribution of relief supplies such as blankets, tents and medicines to the affected population. In addition, Caritas Switzerland cooperated with the Swiss aid organisation Helvetas to support more than 4,000 families with corrugated metal sheets for the construction of temporary shelters and permanent accommodation.

Temporary classrooms After the emergency relief phase, Caritas Switzerland and Helvetas cleared away the rubble of 41 destroyed schools in Sindhupalchok to make way for the erection of 100 provisional schools. In addition to the temporary structures, 141 tents were provided as temporary classrooms for small classes and as storage space. Appropriate temporary latrines and water tanks were also set up in all schools, and support was provided for the distribution of Unicef school materials.

The way to school leads over hanging bridges and through wheat fields.

Reconstruction in 6 municipalities in the district of Sindhupalchok Sindhupalchok Helambu Ichok Mahankal Palchok Duwachaur Talamarang

NEPAL

Kathmandu Sindhupalchok

Thanks to the efficient cooperation of all those involved, it was possible to erect all the temporary schools before the end of the summer holidays at the beginning of August 2015. The project thus enabled the smooth continuation of daily school attendance for more than 6,500 children. Caritas’ emergency relief amounted to around 1.5 million Swiss francs.

The first cut of the spade In March of this year, the foundation stone was laid for the first five of a total of 34 planned permanent schools in Sindhupalchok. The start of construction was delayed by a few weeks due to heavy rainfalls, as well as road blocks in connection with political unrest. Nevertheless, Caritas is able to keep to the timetable. Construction of a further 16 schools is due to start in October 2016. By 2018, the various building sites will be transformed into bright classrooms, staff rooms, library and group study rooms, as well as multipurpose areas. In addition, the schools will be connected to the drinking water supply in their villages, and separate sanitary facilities for girls and boys will be erected.

Thanks to 100 temporary schools, 6,500 children are able to attend lessons without disruption.

15-year-old Nirmala Tamang and her family were hit hard by the earthquake. Today Nirmala (on the right in the picture) is glad that she can attend one of the temporary Caritas schools. Later, she wants to study in Kathmandu and become an English teacher.

Individual building plans guarantee safety During the planning phase, detailed surveys were carried out on the geographic, climatic and social conditions of each project school. Based on the results, a team of local and international experts, in consultation with the local population, elaborated a master plan for each school that is geared to the requirements of the individual locations.

In keeping with national and international construction standards, the schools being built will withstand earthquakes even stronger than the one in April 2015.

Preventing early school leaving Safe school buildings alone are not sufficient, however, to give all children appropriate access to education. Due to child labour, child marriage as well as a frequently lacking awareness of the value of education, many children in Nepal drop out of school prematurely. Material hardship and a lack of prospects after the earthquake mean that the risk of premature school leaving continues to grow.

In cooperation with local partners, Caritas Switzerland organises activities such as radio broadcasts, advice to parents and topic-related events for children in order to encourage school attendance and point out alternatives to early school leaving.

Reducing risks Landslides that sweep away school paths are a common occurrence in Sindhupalchok, especially during the rainy season. That is why Caritas and Helvetas are committed to preparing the children for possible natural disasters by explaining natural phenomena and imparting knowledge about first aid, in cooperation with local organisations. This knowledge is conveyed in a playful way, through singing and drawing competitions, street theatre and school newspapers which the children produce themselves. Similar methods are used to improve the children’s hygiene practice.

From daily life among ruins to a new life ‘I’ve never been so frightened’, says 15-year-old Nirmala Tamang. When the earthquake of 25 April literally pulled the ground away from under her feet, she had just made offerings in a temple at the village edge with her friends. Nirmala, her parents and her four small siblings were not injured, but the family’s home was completely destroyed. Until the arrival of the first aid supplies two weeks later, the family slept out in the open. ‘It rained, and we had hardly any food’, remembers Nirmala’s father. At first, Nirmala didn’t want to go back to school, for fear of aftershocks. But then she heard from friends that someone had built temporary schools that couldn’t collapse. ‘So I went, and I’m glad to have a normal daily life again’, she says.

Nirmala’s father is also grateful that his daughter can continue lessons in temporary classrooms and soon in a new, safe school: ‘I was never able to go to school myself’, he says, ‘but I have seen from friends that education brings benefits. I want my children to have these advantages, and for this they need good school buildings’. Nirmala nods – she likes going to school. ‘After secondary school, I want to study in Kathmandu and become an English teacher’, she says.

The reconstruction aid Caritas is providing in Nepal amounts to a total 10.9 million Swiss francs. Specifically, Caritas is rebuilding 34 schools in six municipalities in the district of Sindhulpalchok. These enable 6,000 pupils to attend school regularly. In addition, the plan includes the erection of toilets and drinking water installations in the schools. Helvetas is participating in the reconstruction programme and is organising training activities for the teachers and pupils in managing water supplies and practising good hygiene.

Picture: Bikash Khadge

More detailed information

Caritas is able to implement its emergency and reconstruction assistance in Nepal thanks to numerous other contributions.

Its commitment is supported by private donors, parishes, religious communities, foundations, municipalities and cantons.

Web Report Nepal To mark the anniversary of the earthquake, Caritas is publishing a Web report from Nepal: caritas.ch/1yn Further information: www.caritas.ch/reconstruction-nepal

In addition to Helvetas, the following institutions support Caritas’ reconstruction assistance in close partnership: • Swiss Solidarity • Cafod, Caritas Great Britain • Caritas Belgium • Caritas Luxemburg • Caritas Czech Republic • Cleanwater Foundation of Georg Fischer AG • Town of Adliswil

Model of a school compound

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1 School building (2–9 classrooms) 2 Washroom 3 Evacuation space 4 Kitchen garden 5 Playground 6 Water point 7 Fence

School building with nine classrooms

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