Working with Natural Disaster

Primary assessment was carried out in the proposed project locations with earthquake-affected families that provide details of needs such as status of livelihood and type of requirements of disaster relief materials and recovery/rehabilitation activities. As the geographical locations are scattered so as diversified needs to be addressed.

An assessment of the impact of a recent earthquake and major aftershocks shows that Nepal's recovery needs amount to the equivalent of a third of its economy. The damage to the economy will require sustained financial support and effective recovery programs to create a more resilient Nepal and to target support at those most in need (World Bank, 2015).

PDNA (2015) report provides rough estimates of the damages, losses and needs in each of the 23 sectors and themes it covers. This is sufficient to show the approximate overall damages, losses and needs, as well as the relative impact between sectors. The most heavily impacted sector is housing, which accounts for about three-fifths of damages and half of needs. As the Government and its development partner’s transition from relief to reconstruction, more detailed assessments need to be carried out at the sectoral levels.

Based on PDNA, World Bank suggests that raising money is needed; there must first be clear and smart plans on how it will be spent. To this end, the government of Nepal, privates sectors, I/NGOs and CBOs need to develop credible recovery programs that will be implemented with transparency and accountability for the benefit of those who lost the most from the earthquake disaster. We also need to remember that for many people in Nepal the disaster is far from over. Humanitarian relief efforts remain critical and must continue with reconstruction and rehabilitation.