NRA to give top priority to revival of livelihoods

KATHMANDU, Feb 16: The National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) has stated that it will give top priority to the revival of economic activities while carrying out reconstruction work in the areas most affected by the earthquakes last year.

The directive committee of the NRA chaired by the prime minister endorsed a national reconstruction and rehabilitation policy on Sunday, stating that it will focus on revivable of livelihoods for the quake victims, along with reconstruction of physical infrastructure raged by the quakes.


"Many quake victims lost their livelihoods after the disaster. So, we have decided to give equal priority to building necessary infrastructure that will provide the victims livelihood opportunities," said Madhu Sudan Adhikari, acting secretary of NRA.

The policy states that the reconstruction authority will focus on rebuilding industrial infrastructure, promoting community-based agriculture and livestock farming, developing tourism infrastructure and establishing small and medium-scale industries, among other things, for reviving livelihoods in the disaster-affected areas.

Adhikari said the authority will provide necessary technical assistance as well as financial support for developing sustainable livelihoods for victims.

The authority also aims to launch a cooperative campaign to generate employment opportunities and revive financial activities in the affected areas. "Many settlements need to be relocated, and during the relocation process, many victims are likely to lose their livelihoods. So, reviving economic activities in the quake areas is a crucial aspect of the overall task of reconstruction and rehabilitation," he said.

According to NRA, as many as 143 settlements are in risk zones and need to be relocated immediately.

NRA to begin reconstruction from Dolakha

NRA has started preparations to begin the task of reconstruction and rehabilitation from Dolakha district starting next week. "The authority is making preparations to begin its reconstruction task from Dolakha district," said Adhikari.

Chief Executive Office of NRA, Sushil Gyewali, has already reached the district.

This move by NRA has come after it was widely criticized for failing to carry out any tangible steps to bring a measure of relief to the quake victims in the 14 most-affected districts, who have been living under pathetic conditions in their make-shift shelters.

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