Mitch and Jordan Rebuild Nepal

Planning was already well under way for the Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter Work Project (JRCWP), to be held in Pokhara in November, when the devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck on 25th April. Habitat International had to then think long and hard as to the appropriateness of continuing with the JRCWP, recognising that the houses would be built in an area that was not heavily damaged by the quakes for families who had not been displaced by the quakes.

Kiwi, Grahame Roberts was already in Kathmandu helping with the project planning when the big one hit and his immediate conviction, expressed in an email home the next day, was summed up in his words: "My reasons for being here have just increased 100-fold". This is the same conclusion reached by Habitat International later in the week after a detailed evaluation.

As soon as the earthquake hit, Habitat International dispatched 2 of its Disaster Response specialist evaluators and they, together with Grahame and Habitat Nepal staff considered many factors before concluding that it was still feasible and now even more appropriate than ever to continue.

They realised that the rebuild in worst-hit Kathmandu would not be able to commence until well into 2016 following the well-established disaster recovery sequence of firstly search and rescue, then food, water, sanitation and temporary shelter, then infrastructure redevelopment and site clearance, then town planning and engineering review of construction design and only then can construction begin.

The review team visited the sites of the 3 Everest Build projects in which Kiwis participated during 2010, 2012 and last year and found only one house partially damaged and easily repairable. They pronounced the bamboo and cement plaster construction methods used for those houses and planned for the JRCWP houses to be very earthquake resistant and entirely suitable to continue using.

The team also reviewed Nepal's, and in particular Pokhara's ability to host an influx of 1,000 international volunteers in November and concluded that not only would it be possible, but that it was also desperately needed to help the national and local economy. Nepal relies on tourism for almost 10% of its GDP and it provides more than 1,000,000 jobs.

The team also looked at the site for the JRCWP and considered the likely availability of building materials and gave a tick to both.

Another consideration was the vital benefit to the Habitat host organisation from all GV projects of the financial contribution received in hard cash. This comes from the participation cost paid by each team member and from other fundraising efforts by sending countries. Habitat Nepal can expect at least $2M from this project as a result.

It seems that much of Habitat Nepal's work over the next decade will be focused on earthquake rebuild probably getting under way next year. The availability of this funding injection is very timely and will provide a great platform for them to respond in an extremely effective manner. In this sense the JRCWP would seem to be serendipitous.

Lastly, and most importantly, is the relief of human need that will be addressed by the project. Even before this latest calamity to beset the already impoverished country, Nepal had a need for 500,000 simple decent houses to replace shacks, shanties and squatter villages all over the land. Many of the families Habitat assists are freed bonded labourers, who although now free of conditions close to those of slavery which they had endured until quite recently, still live in abject poverty. Alleviating this need remains very urgent.

By participating in this project you will not only be helping this pre-existing situation but also be helping to set Habitat Nepal up to respond to the needs of many thousands of families rendered homeless in the span of a few minutes on 25th April. It also provides a great opportunity for you to encourage your friends and others to contribute to Nepal's recovery by donating to Habitat's earthquake appeal.

Habitat therefore decided to continue with the project, recognising that it was needed now more than ever and encourages you to join the team, raise funds for earthquake relief or preferably do both.