Private housing reconstruction begins in Rukum West

By Raju Lamichhane ,Rukum West, Mar. 22: The reconstruction of private houses damaged by the earthquake has begun in Chaurjahari Municipality, Rukum West. 

The initiative follows a damage assessment conducted after the earthquake that struck Jajarkot on November 3, 2023.

Chaurjahari Municipality has initiated the reconstruction process by signing agreements with two earthquake-affected beneficiaries.

According to Acting Chief Administrative Officer Sher Prasad Dhakal, agreements were signed on Wednesday with Bishnu Prasad Gautam and Sashila Rawat, both from Ward No. 2 of the municipality. 

Ward Chairman Bir Bahadur Rana facilitated the agreement.

Following the agreement, Gautam and Rawat have received the first tranche of Rs. 50,000 each in their bank accounts, said Dhakal. 

He added that details of  10 beneficiaries from the ward have already been registered in the Disaster Information Portal, and their first instalment funds have been disbursed. 

Eight more beneficiaries are in the process of fulfilling requirements, such as approval of the house map, and they will soon receive the first tranche of instalments.

A technical team deployed by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) conducted a detailed damage assessment before identifying eligible beneficiaries. 

According to NDRRMA Under Secretary Ram Bahadur KC, after beneficiaries were verified and approved by the District Disaster Management Committee, the reconstruction agreements commenced. 

The process is being prioritised in other affected areas as well, said KC.

After the damage assessment, 10 beneficiaries from Chaurjahari Municipality-2 were officially registered in the Disaster Information System, based on which the District Management Committee recommended their inclusion in the reconstruction programme.

As per the Disaster-Affected Private Housing Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Grant Procedure-2024, eligible beneficiaries will receive a total grant of Rs. 400,000 for house reconstruction.

The Jajarkot earthquake caused extensive damage in the region, with 7,400 houses destroyed in Chaurjahari Municipality alone. 

In Rukum West, a total of 32,996 beneficiaries have been identified for assistance, as per the record of the District Administration Office.