The plan document has envisioned settlements built through the use of safe construction materials, that have all essential facilities and are properly managed. NPC officials say the document will be tabled soon at the cabinet’s committee on finance and infrastructure development.
According to excerpts from the document, priority will be given to the development of safer and properly-managed settlements through necessary reforms in place of the existing mismanaged, unhealthy and risk-prone settlements. Providing job opportunities for the downtrodden and backward communities as well as job creation at local level through large-scale reconstruction works are key policies under the plan. The document also mentions the formation of a committee led by the prime minister and participated in by all parties and by experts for policy consultations on reconstruction. The committee will also report to parliament from time to time on progress in reconstruction as well as assist the parliamentary committee on National Special Disaster Management Monitoring and Direction.
Rescue and relief, preliminary rehabilitation, rehabilitation of infrastructures, and rehabilitation and reconstruction are the four stages of the plan.
The first stage of the plan includes continuing the mobilization of the security forces for relief distribution, including food and medicines, as well providing money to families that have lost members, for purposes of cremation and other rites. One joint-secretary has been mobilized for each of the 42 constituencies in the 14 affected districts. About 500 administrative officials and 200 engineers and architects are also in the affected areas to assess damage and provide technical support for preliminary rehabilitation in the rural areas.
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First, temporary housing will be prepared for the affected families before the monsoon begins. Reusable materials from the damaged houses as well as new construction materials where required will be used for the construction of temporary houses. The affected families will reside in these houses for between six months and two years until new and permanent houses are ready.
Safe settlement sites will be selected and 10 to 20 families will be encouraged to live in one temporary house. The temporary houses will be built under the guidance of technical people and local masons will be encouraged to work on their construction. An engineer will be assigned to each affected VDC to support in designing and building the temporary houses. People interested in building the temporary houses on their own will be provided two bundles of corrugated sheets per family member, 10 kg GI wire, 1 kg nails and tarpaulins. Construction materials will be airlifted for people living in remote areas. Support provided by the government, donors and NGOs will be provided to the affected families.
Likewise, under the plan, traditional sources of drinking water will be rehabilitated. Mobile health teams will be mobilized for regular health checkups for infants, children, pregnant women and the elderly. Schools will be organized for children, including early childhood development classes, the supply of food and other goods will be monitored by the local authorities and fair price shops, if required, will be operated in the affected areas by Nepal Food Corporation, National Trading Limited and other cooperative entities. Likewise, electricity supply will also be arranged for the houses.
Temporary buildings will be constructed for damaged public offices such as schools, health posts and VDCs, as per a sample design approved by the NPC.
In the third stage, need assessments for reconstruction will be carried out by a team of experts led by the NPC. The team will also assess the damage by mid-June. An impact analysis on the economy and other sectors overall will be prepared and a blueprint prepared for the reconstruction and rebuilding of all structures.
In the final stage, the settlement areas will be chosen as per a geological study and a settlement plan devised with the participation of the local communities.
Road connections, open spaces, public buildings, electricity and drinking water facilities will be developed along with the settlements.
Reconstruction of highways, bridges, hydropower projects, transmission lines, drinking water projects, school buildings and other public buildings, and historical and cultural heritage will be carried out in a period of three years.
