The MoU was signed by Rick Hathaway, area vice president, Asia-Pacific Office, Habitat for Humanity International and CNI Vice President Anuj Agrawal amidst the presence of CNI President Narendra K Basnyat.

“CNI has always championed the need for sustainable development, a view also upheld by Habitat for Humanity, which works globally to eliminate substandard housing. In the wake of the earthquake that shook the nation on April 25, 2015, with more than half a million houses destroyed the need for housing has become even more critical,” CNI said in a statement.

It said the Rebuild Nepal programme aims to help at least 20,000 families severely affected by the April earthquake recovery by focusing on immediate relief, transitional shelter, and housing rehabilitation or construction of core and full homes.

In conjunction, the 100,000 Housing Campaign aims to provide 100,000 houses in Nepal by 2016. The Housing Campaign is targeted at enabling people to understand the importance of decent shelter and create awareness about the use of locally available resources in cost effective way

Former US President, Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn are supporting the 100,000 Housing Campaign through the 32nd annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, focusing their efforts on building houses in Pokhara, Nepal.

Addressing the signing ceremony Basnyat said: “Our country is at a very critical stage, recuperating from the calamity does not end with immediate relief and rehabilitation activities, the process of rebuilding of the overall economy is still at a very nascent phase. However, the economic recovery of the country starts with the recovery of its millions of displaced citizens and while housing alone is not a sufficient condition, the current efforts to build houses and provide shelters is very necessary.”

Golchha to construct 1,000 houses

Golchha Organization, one of the leading business houses of the country, on Friday announced it will construct 1,000 houses across Nepal to shelter earthquake victims. For this purpose, Golchha Organisation has tied up with Habitat for Humanity Nepal for a social campaign, “Ashraya” under which the homes will be constructed. An agreement to this effect was signed between Almudena Bartayres, National Director, Habitat for Humanity Nepal, Rick Hathaway, Area Vice President, Asia-Pacific Office, Habitat for Humanity International, Inc. and Shekhar Golchha on behalf of Hansraj Hulaschand and Co Pvt Ltd and Akash Golchha on behalf of GO Automobiles Pvt Ltd. A statement issued by Golchha Organisation said GO Automobiles Pvt Ltd and Hansraj Hulaschand and Company have contributed Rs 12.8 million for the “Ashraya” campaign. To start off the campaign, Habitat for Humanity Nepal is taking up a pilot project in Pipaltar VDC of Kavre where they will be building 100 houses within 100 days. “The company is committed to handover 100 houses to the victims within committed time of 100 days. “

Rotary Int’l, FNCCI sign agreement

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) and Rotary International District 3292 on Friday reached an agreement for the reconstruction of schools affected by the April 25 earthquake and its aftershocks. An agreement to this effect was signed by FNCCI officiating President Pashupati Murarka and Rabindra Piya, District Governor, Rotary International. As per the agreement, the FNCCI will work as per the guidelines of the government and coordinate in constructing government operated primary schools in 14 highly affected districts while, Rotary International will fund for water, and gender friendly toilets.