KATHMANDU: The Non-Resident Nepali Association said it was actively working to construct a model village in Gupsipakha, Laprak, near the epicentre of the 2015 April earthquake in Gorkha district.

The government has issued a permission to the NRNA to build 573 earthquake-resistant houses in the village.

The NRNA is set to mobilise its volunteers globally from February to October for the reconstruction campaign.

It is preparing basic facilities for volunteers to stay during the project period in Laprak.

The NRNA International Coordination Committee President Shesh Ghale himself was in Gorkha in December last week and January first week along with his team members to set up the model village, the organisation said.

Ghale was accompanied by NRNA members including NRNA Regional Coordinator Americas Sonam Lama, NRNA ICC Member Australia Jamuna Gurung, NRNA Deputy Regional Coordinator Americas AC Sherpa, NRNA Advisor TB Karki, and Foreign Employment Relief Fund Task Force Co-Chair Shyam Tamang among others.

Ghale and the volunteer team together celebrated the Lhosar and the New Year 2017 with the local community of Laprak in a bid to bridge the gap between the local community and NRNA, according to an NRNA statement.

Recently, the government had managed to supply electricity to the remote village to assist in the reconstruction works.