19 May 2019, Rasuwa
Policy Dialogue cum Meeting with Federation was organized collaboratively by Humanitarian Accountability Monitoring Initiative (HAMI), National Alliance for Human Rights and Social Justice – Nepal and HRCDRC, Rasuwa on 19 May 2019 at Dhunche, Rasuwa. The program centered to assess socio-cultural issues and progress in post-quake reconstruction in Rasuwa along with role of CSOs working in the district. Representatives from government (including National Reconstruction Authority, Rasuwa), local governments, CSOs working in the district, earthquake affected people took part in the program.
The chief guest of the program was Debarshi Sapkota, Assistant Chief of the District Administrative Office (DAO) Rasuwa whereas other guests were Babu Lal Tamang, Chairperson of Nepal Red Cross, Rasuwa; Dr. Padma Prasad Khatiwada, General Secretary of Human Rights Alliance; Dibas Acharya DLPIU, Rasuwa. The program was chaired by Hem Nath Khatiwada, Human Rights Alliance, Rasuwa; Bidur Subedi, HAMI. In the program, Working Paper on “Post-Quaker Reconstruction: Current Status and Socio-cultural Issues” was presented by Biswas Nepali, Human Rights Activist from Dolakha. After the presentation of working paper reflecting reconstruction progress in the district, guests and participants presented their views and observation in reconstruction. In the discussion and sharing session, they also shared supportive role of CSOs in overall reconstruction process.
Guests and participants asserted that reconstruction progress has relatively slow despite efforts made in the district. Marginalized and the most vulnerable families have to be prioritized in the reconstruction; hence, all the stakeholders have to be work together. Assertion was made for collaborative effort among government, CSOs and private sector. They considered that lengthy policy procedural cycle for victims for receiving tranches has created problem. There is need of ensuring relocation or resettlement that has to be based on demand of the people. Meanwhile, those identified around 275 families under the category have not received additional incentives and technical support from the government. Hence, post-quake reconstruction in Rasuwa will be taking noticeable time from now despite efforts made by the government, CSOs and people from the district. CSOs’ contribution in the district has been crucial; hence, there is need consolidated efforts to address the challenges that have been observed in the district for timely and meaningful reconstruction.
