The major donor countries and development partners have pledged more than Rs 326 billion for Nepal’s recovery and reconstruction plan outlined by the Government of Nepal in the one-day International Conference for Nepal’s Reconstruction inaugurated by Prime Minister Sushil Koirala. The Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) prepared by the National Planning Commission (NPC) has estimated that around Rs 669 billion is needed for rehabilitation of the people affected by the April 25 earthquake and its major aftershocks and reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure, including the cultural heritages, historical sites and monuments. The NPC has assessed that property worth Rs 706 billion was damaged in the quake that affected 17 hilly districts, including the Kathmandu Valley. The government had invited 70 donor countries and development partners to attend the conference, but only 278 delegates from 54 countries and agencies took part in the conference organized to raise funds for the reconstruction and recovery.

Delegates from all the friendly countries and donors have stressed the need for maintaining transparency and accountability

During the inaugural session, major countries and development partners, including India, China, Japan, ADB, World Bank, the USA, European Union and Norway, pledged to provide substantial financial assistance to Nepal in the times of crisis hit hard by the major quake after 82 years. The pledged amount will be extended to Nepal within five years’ period. India was the largest supporting partner pledging an amount of Rs 100 billion out of which Rs 25 billion will be in grant and the rest a soft loan. India has already pledged to provide another Rs 100 billion as soft loan under the line of credit during the official visit of Indian PM Narendra Modi last year. China has pledged to provide Rs. 48 billion as grant and has also assured to provide more loan without interest. ADB said it would provide Rs 60 billion out of which Rs 20 billion would be spent for the reconstruction of the damaged schools. Likewise, World Bank will provide Rs 50 billion, Japan Rs 26 billion, the USA Rs 13 billion, EU Rs 11 billion and Norway will provide Rs 3 billion in a period of five years.

India has said that the pledged amount will be spent on agriculture, housing, roads and transport, electricity, health, education, cultural heritage and disaster risk reduction. China wants its assistance used in infrastructure, livelihood, cultural heritage and skills training. Japan has shown interest on urban development while WB will be supporting housing reconstruction. While addressing the conference the delegates from almost all the friendly countries and development partners have stressed the need for maintaining transparency and accountability, and their support needs to be spent for needy people and areas. “As challenging as the funding would be the spending. Efficient and transparent utilization of funds to achieve the PDNA goals will not be easy,” Sushma Swaraj, Indian Minister for External Affairs, said in her statement. The delegates have urged the government to make the spending mechanism – National Reconstruction Authority – effective so that the rehabilitation and reconstruction works can be carried out expeditiously. Finance Minister Ram Sharan Mahat has also admitted that the “quality and pattern of public expenditure” has been unsatisfactory. The government must best utilize the funds for rebuilding a new Nepal out of the rubble.

Travelling hazards

With the beginning of the monsoon the conditions of the highways continues to be appalling. In the immediate aftermath of the devastating earthquake of April 25 many vehicles were buried in landslides making it difficult to drive as much damage was done to the roads. It is very risky to commute in the BP and Araniko highways.

The dangerous conditions of the roads have added to the misery of the earthquake victims needing immediate relief. Meanwhile, an innovation has come into place which could prove useful for those commuting particularly on the long routes. Through the cell phones the users would get the up to date information of the roads and also landslides and floodings, among others. It is the need of the hour to make journeys safe in the country. However, the conditions of the routes are precarious both in the tortuous hill roads and the plains. Those who are responsible for keeping the roads safe face an uphill task.