The Trusts, along with teams from Tata group companies, have been at the forefront in relief activities in the wake of natural disasters occurring in the country (and neighbouring Nepal). Immediate relief operations have been followed up with long-term rehabilitation efforts.
Nepal Earthquake Response Programme
Nepal was hit by major earthquakes, measuring 7.8 and 7.4 on the Richter scale on April 25, 2015, and May 12, 2015, respectively. Many parts of the country were severely affected with more than 9,000 casualties. Among the affected areas, Sindhupalchowk was the most affected district in terms of casualties.
Post-earthquake rehabilitation activities in Nepal
After undertaking immediate relief activities, the Trusts proceeded to undertake a long-term plan focusing on restoration of infrastructure that was destroyed in the disaster. The objectives of the project are: (a) to improve infrastructure for education by constructing permanent structures for six government schools for children in Sindhupalchowk district; (b) to increase the number of gender-friendly toilets in schools; (c) to strengthen the education system by providing school materials and psychosocial counselling for making learning fun; and (d) to promote water and sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviour among the students and the community in the catchment area. As part of the project, the Trusts are facilitating the reconstruction of seven secondary schools and one health post.
Four schools have been reconstructed with a modern layout resistant to earthquakes and designed with disabled-friendly facilities. The April 2015 earthquake had badly damaged the schools, destroying the classrooms, science lab and other facilities at school. The well-furnished, earthquake-resistant school buildings have been handed over to the community.
Key highlights:
- School building complying to specifications advocated for earthquake seismic zone 5, with a modern layout.
- Classrooms complying to global standards, w.r.t safety, space per child, access to differently-abled child, etc.
- Community participation during the reconstruction phase and corpus fund equally contributed by the community and local partner created to support post-construction maintenance of the structure.
- WASH infrastructure with soft activities to equip students w.r.t personal hygiene and safe drinking water through IEC / BCC tools.
- Facilities for early child development, computer / science lab, etc.
