House reconstruction begins

Work has started on the first house to be rebuilt in Bhattedanda village since the earthquake. Utilising the earthquake banding system developed in collaboration with Harry Partridge (Partridge Structural/Remedial/Event) this house will help to train villagers in a new structural system to make their houses more earthquake resistant. 

After demolishing the remainder of their earthquake damaged house in late August, in early September Sundar Lama and his family mark out their new house, and dig their new, larger foundations. Before the the foundations begin a ceremony of puja (prayer) is held, and work begins immediately on the stonework, with specialist stone masons hired from a neighbouring village. The first earthquake band, containing steel reinforcing bars embedded in a cement mortar is formed up and poured. Vertical steel reinforcing bars are cast into each corner of the foundations, to be hidden within the stone and mud walls.

The timing is critical, as the government announces the imminent release of the first instalment of grants to families for house reconstruction. This system will provide a clear way forward for families, still struggling with the trauma of the 2015 earthquake, and desperate to rebuild.

Click here to download
the first round of photos from the field. Shared by HH O/S Progam Manager David Donald