Nepal: Building back better

Three months after Nepal was hit by two devastating earthquakes, emergency relief efforts have given way to early recovery. The United Nations (UN) estimates that three million survivors are still in need of assistance.

Martin McCann
10 August 2015

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RedR is working to help those affected rebuild their homes, infrastructure and livelihoods - and build them back better, reducing the impact of future disasters.

We have been overwhelmed by the response to our emergency appeal, particularly from the engineering sector. To date, RedR has raised over £150,000 to fund our work in Nepal - the majority donated by patrons, corporate partners and their wonderful staff. Your support has allowed us to reach international and local NGOs, government departments, schools and community groups with training and technical support in key areas including shelter and water and sanitation. We are equipping people with the skills they need to recover - and to look to the future.

"When we train people in concrete skills, we’re empowering them to save lives the next time disaster strikes. Moreover, we train people who themselves go on to be trainers, sharing their newly-acquired skills with their colleagues and communities."

Sindhupalchok District was swiftly identified by the Nepalese government as one of the worst-affected districts in the country. Over 1800 people died. According to some estimates, 80% of houses in the district were destroyed. Water and sanitation structures collapsed or were severely damaged. With the monsoon season imminent, water-related diseases became a very real threat.

With this in mind, our teams are training aid workers in Sindhupalchok to build "safe" latrines, designed to withstand future shocks - and to promote good hygiene practices. "RedR's training has helped us immensely," said one trainee. "We can now build safer and better toilets using the methods that were taught, including tying bamboo, using tarpaulin and creating ventilation. We have acquired knowledge and skills that we’ll carry with us over several years."

Although decent and durable water and sanitation structures are essential, we believe it’s equally vital to ensure that they’re used correctly and well-maintained. That’s why "softer" activities like hygiene promotion and community mobilisation are an integral part of the training we provide. "Before, we were merely going to villages and pasting posters to generate awareness," recalls one trainee. "We now know that it is important to explain in person, at the community level, the links between hygiene and health."

Indeed, to cope with humanitarian needs in the wake of the earthquakes, NGOs present in Nepal took on hundreds of new members of staff. Though dedicated, not all of them have experience in humanitarian work. That’s why we’re also providing training in project management and the essentials of humanitarian practice for local aid workers.

When we train people in concrete skills, we’re empowering them to save lives the next time disaster strikes. Moreover, we train people who themselves go on to be trainers, sharing their newly-acquired skills with their colleagues and communities. In my experience, this ensures that our work is sustainable - and that its impact is multiplied across the country.

As Nepal moves from crisis through recovery and on to reconstruction, your support is - and will continue to be - vital. We expect to remain in Nepal in the months to come to meet the ongoing demand for basic and technical skills. I know that with your support, we can help those affected rebuild their lives - and prepare to face the future.

How can I help?

If you would like to make a donation to RedR’s Nepal appeal, please visit our website: http://www.redr.org.uk/en/Donate/nepal.cfm.

If your organisation wishes to support us further, we welcome your connections, skills and expertise, donations, staff fundraising, communication sharing and any other ways you can facilitate our work.

To discuss any of these aspects in more detail or to find out more about our response, please do not hesitate to contact Katie Grey, Corporate Relations Manager, at Katie.Grey@redr.org.uk.