Introduction: Empowering Nepal Through Disaster Resilience: YFGN’s Retrofitting Initiatives
In the face of rapid climate changes and extreme weather events, Nepal is grappling with significant threats to development. Despite contributing a mere 0.025 percent to global emissions, the country experiences severe impacts from climate change, such as rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, increased flooding, and landslides. As a result, disaster retrofitting has emerged as a vital solution to enhance the resilience of buildings against these threats.
YFGN’s Commitment
Recognizing these challenges, Youth for Global Nepal (YFGN) launched its first initiative on National Earthquake Safety Day, January 16, 2024. Under the theme “Safe Homes”. YFGN aimed to provide practical knowledge and skills to communities. The initiative highlighted the importance of using local resources and technology in constructing earthquake-resilient structures. Supported by Habitat for Humanity International and local partners, including Rotaract Kantipur, YFGN conducted workshops in various areas of Kathmandu, including Tokha, Hadigaun, and Chandragiri.
Stories of Community Engagement
Hadigaun (Ward No. 5) In the bustling ward of Hadigaun, Kathmandu, over 30 homeowners gathered for YFGN’s inaugural workshop on disaster retrofitting. This session provided a vital opportunity to educate and empower participants to enhance their homes’ seismic safety and protect their families and communities.
Tokha Tokha became a hub of knowledge sharing as 35 young participants attended a workshop on retrofitting techniques. This session focused on navigating safer paths for future generations, emphasizing resilience and preparedness. Another notable workshop was in Tokha ward 06 highlighted the community’s dedication to building a resilient Tokha. Amar Singh, a local from Tokha, expressed his gratitude, saying, “I learned about the workshop being held here through information provided by the local government of Tokha Ward 6. I want to express my gratitude to Youth for Good – Nepal for taking this initiative. This is crucial in terms of preparedness and disaster prevention. We seek solutions once the damage is already done. But if we’re even a little bit informed about this beforehand, many lives and buildings could be saved. Thank you so much to this team.”
Chandragiri YFGN’s efforts reached the residents of Chandragiri through an Earthquake Retrofitting Workshop in Ward 7. With significant participation from women, this event offered valuable insights into retrofitting techniques. Additionally, a special workshop was conducted in association with Chandragiri Ward 9 for homeowners whose houses were constructed before 2072 B.S/2015 AD.
Mira Bajgain, a local resident of Ward 1, Chandragiri, shared her experience: “I thoroughly enjoyed attending this workshop. As a resident of Kathmandu for the past 30 years and a busy entrepreneur, I hadn’t had the opportunity to participate in such an event before. Despite my hectic schedule, I made the time to be here and am very glad that I did. The workshop has been incredibly informative and eye-opening. I am now eager to share the valuable knowledge I’ve gained about retrofitting with my friends and family, emphasizing its importance for their safety and well-being.”
Macchegaun In the historically rich area of Macchegaun, a dedicated workshop was held for teachers at New Horizon Academy. This session aimed to inspire teachers to become ambassadors of safe buildings, equipping them with the knowledge to pass on to their students and foster a culture of safety.
Program Impact
With over 300 participants across 8 workshops—60% of whom were women—and an average satisfaction score of 8.5, the initiative’s success underscores the commitment of homeowners and the strong support from partners. For over three years, YFGN has been contributing to the social sector, focusing on raising awareness about earthquake reinforcement and retrofitting in earthquake-prone Nepal. The main objective is to educate homeowners in Kathmandu about preserving traditionally built historical structures and retrofitting existing homes.
Challenges and Opportunities
Nepal faces significant challenges due to its unique socio-economic and geographical context. A large proportion of buildings in the country are constructed by local workers who often lack formal training in disaster risk reduction (DRR) measures. This informal construction sector, while vital to the economy, results in structures that are vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods.
Moreover, climate change discussions tend to overlook marginalized rural communities, who are among the most affected by these environmental changes. These communities often lack access to crucial information and resources needed to adapt and prepare for any disasters including climate-related disasters. This gap in awareness and preparedness highlights the need for more inclusive and community-focused education initiatives.
Education systems, especially those serving low and middle-income families, frequently do not prioritize practical climate and disaster education. The current curriculum often fails to engage students in meaningful ways about these critical issues. Addressing this gap is essential for empowering the next generation with the knowledge and skills needed to build a more resilient future.
