"The earthquake could not bring down pillar-system houses in the district. That is why we have started constructing a concrete house with pillars," said Dhanamaya Gurung of Barpark VDC. She said that they started constructing a new concrete house after she convinced her husband Aaita Bahadur.
Before the earthquake, the Gurungs, like most people in the district, lived in a tiny slate-roof house made up of mud and stone. After their house was destroyed in the earthquake, they spent the rainy season in a makeshift shelter. Now, they are struggling in the winter cold. Even after over nine months since the earthquake, the government has not done anything significant for the victims, the Gurungs said.
"We feared that we might have to live like this for several more months if we don't start building house on our own," Dhanamaya bemoaned.
The coordinator of the relief committee of Barpak ward no 1, Phool Bahadur Gurung, is also skeptical about getting any relief from the government. "The villagers have heard about the government announcement of Rs 200,000 grant per victim family and subsidized loan. While awaiting government relief for nine months, they suffered from rain and chill. It appears worthless to wait for the government," Phool Bahadur said.
Like Dhanamaya, many people in the VDC have started building their homes without government aid.
The house that Dhanamaya is building will have four rooms. The masons and workers constructing her house have not received earthquake-resistance training.
"We are building a house similar to those that withstood the earthquake," Aaita Bahadur said.
Related story
Vehicular movement along Barpak-Laprak section closed for two d...
