The Kathmandu-based Nepal International Development Partners Group (IDPG) has said that reconstruction should continue to be a top priority on the national agenda for some time to come, steered by a strong National Reconstruction Authority (NRA).

Issuing a statement on the eve of second year of Gorkha Earthquake on Monday, the group said despite reconstruction picking up momentum, there are people and communities who are yet to receive help and for whom the process of reconstruction has not moved fast enough. “We understand and share their frustrations and realize that these processes will need to move faster,” it said in the statement.

The IDPG is the apex platform of the international development partners present in Nepal who meet to exchange views and information about all aspects of development cooperation and to coordinate joint efforts.

“We also take this opportunity to commend the resilient spirit and determination of the Nepali people, and to reaffirm our commitment to assisting the government of Nepal and the Nepali people in their post-earthquake reconstruction efforts,” the statement reads.

Stating that an anniversary is a good time to take stock from our collective experiences, the IDPG added, “Now all efforts are needed to expand this momentum in the coming year. A pivotal role in this process has been assigned to the NRA. It is important that the NRA has all necessary means at its disposal to steer and coordinate these multi-stakeholder efforts.”

Rebuilding a safer, more resilient Nepal is in the interests of the people and the government of Nepal, all its development partners, and its friends and well-wishers around the world, the group said.

“Most of all, it is in the interests of the people that will take on the driving seat of Nepal’s future, its youth. We applaud the progress made so far and will continue to support sustainable and faster progress in the next year.”