Kathmandu, 12 May 2016: The European Union and Transparency International Nepal in Kathmandu launched today a support programme to foster integrity in the post-earthquake reconstruction and rehabilitation process in Nepal.
Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, Ambassador Rensje Teerink and President of TI Nepal, Bharat Bahadur Thapa signed the project documents on behalf of their organizations. This 1 million euros project will run for a period of 5 years to complement the rebuilding campaign with various accountability and transparency activities. This grant is part of a broader package of 105 million euro that the EU will provide to the Government for reconstruction efforts.
The devastating earthquakes that hit Nepal on 25th April 2015 and 12 May 2015, followed by several hundreds aftershocks, have taken a heavy toll on lives and caused billions of rupees in damage to housing, public buildings, businesses and infrastructure. Large scale reconstruction is now, one year after the disaster, going to roll out across the affected areas.
At the signing ceremony both parties reiterated the importance of promoting integrity in the context of post-Earthquake reconstruction. Ambassador Teerink stated, "Building Back Better Nepal is an opportunity to foster accountability and social cohesion in the country. We need to reach out in particular to the most vulnerable. With this action, launched today on the first anniversary of the second big quake, we underline the pivotal importance of the Civil Society in the process."
Meanwhile, TI Nepal President Thapa expressed that disaster situations often exacerbate corruption, hence a more vigilant approach from civil society is crucial.
The project will work at three key levels in the earthquake reconstruction process: 1) policy level 2) implementation level and 3) post implementation level. Actions will focus on building integrity through accountability and transparency measures targeting GoN reconstruction plans, educational environment, public procurement, social accountability, media campaigns, financial reports, helpdesks as well as, construction and grievance redressal. To maximize the efficiency of the action, TIN aims to engage at the governmental, professional, media and civil society level, mainly in the most severely affected 14 districts of Nepal.
For further information, please contact:
Ambar Mainali, Press and Communication, EU Delegation, +97714429445 ext. 106, Ambar.Mainali@eeas.europa.eu