KEY FINDINGS
In April 2016, the Inter-Agency Common Feedback Project collected feedback from communities (2100 respondents) across 14 earthquake affected districts on reconstruction related issues.
Reconstruction efforts have been slow to reach communities. A majority of respondents (82 percent) do not believe their main reconstruction needs have been addressed. Some of the main reconstruction needs identified by respondents were financial support (77 percent), access to building materials (37 percent) and technical knowledge (16 percent). As reconstruction efforts scale up, it is expected that respondents will have more positive perceptions on reconstruction related issues.
The results of the perception survey clearly demonstrate that respondents have a lack of information on when support will be received, how they can access reconstruction support and how they can rebuild using safe construction practices. Specific groups, such as women and the elderly, are more likely to be unaware of safe building practice or how to access reconstruction support. This demonstrates the need for community outreach and engagement to be targeted to ensure people have access to vital information. The use of community and social mobilizers, which are currently being trained with the National Reconstruction Authority with support from the Housing Recovery and Reconstruction Platform (HRRP).will be critical in strengthening community outreach.
The majority of respondents (96 percent) believe they will need additional support to build back safely. The most common form of additional support cited by respondents was financial (97 percent), which indicates that respondents do not believe 2 lakh will be enough to rebuild safely.Again, communities require consistent, timely and sustained engagement to ensure they can access the technical support and information to build back better.
Other issues raised by communities through partner feedback mechanisms include WASH and livelihood support. Communities have requested support from Government and partners in the construction or repairing of water supply pipelines and latrines. In addition, these communities have requested livelihood training opportunities to support income generation.
With the one-year anniversary of the Nepal earthquake passing, communities also shared their concerns and belief that another earthquake in Nepal was imminent. Communicating the science of earthquakes and concrete steps that can be taken to prepare for disaster should be undertaken by Government and agencies to address these concerns.
Recommendations
Strengthen community outreach and engagement to:
- Ensure communities know when they will or can expect to receive reconstruction support
- Answer questions on how communities can access reconstruction support. Specifically, respondents cited a lack of clarity on the enrollment process as a barrier to getting support. Communication with communities, using multiple platforms to target different groups, is required to ensure communities understand how to enroll for reconstruction support.
- Provide information on how to rebuild their homes using safe construction practices. The focus of this information should be on low-cost methods that communities can utilize.
Government and partners should review and consider what other forms of financial support may be required in areas to ensure build back better is adhered to. Respondents cited concerns that the 2 lakh provision may not be enough for them to rebuild safely.
Government and partners need to ensure adequate technical support accompanies financial assistance for reconstruction. Communities will require information and knowledge on how to rebuild their homes safely. The community and social mobilizer training with the National Reconstruction Authority and HRRP is an important initiative to support this.