Kathmandu, August 3

Speakers at a programme have stressed on addressing the vulnerabilities of urban communities in post-earthquake reconstruction.

Speaking at a programme ‘Addressing vulnerabilities of urban communities in post-earthquake reconstruction: Issues of Livelihood’ in Kathmandu yesterday, Bishnu Bhandari, executive member at the National Reconstruction Authority, said urban livelihood should be resilient and organisations working to support the victims should run their programmes by understanding the latter’s needs.

He also stressed on creating employment and providing social security to the earthquake victims.

Padam Sundar Joshi, programme manager at UN-HABITAT, called on the government to implement the cooperative housing plan.

Umesh Dhakal, chief of Earthquake Response Operations of Nepal Red Cross Society, stressed on adopting integrated approach to address urban issues. He said issues of shelter, livelihood, water, sanitation, and hygiene should be addressed simultaneously.

Bimal Gadal, sustainable development director at Oxfam Nepal, said as per the report of the Post Disaster Needs Assessment, the earthquakes increased the population in poverty by an additional three per cent.