The government, with financial and technical support from Usaid and National Society of Earthquake Technology-Nepal (NSET-N), has initiated a five-year  Baliyo Ghar (Strong House) project aimed at training engineers, local masons, carpenters and earthquake-affected homeowners towards building earthquake-resilient houses in the future.

Under the project worth $8 million (Rs830 million approx), a National Reconstruction Technology Centre and three training centres at the district and local levels in Dolakha, Dhanding and Nuwakot districts will be established to train the targeted groups towards building a safer community to earthquake-related disasters, including building safer housing structures.

Baliyo Ghar will be implemented by NSET-N in cooperation with Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training, and National Planning Commission.

During a programme organised on Wednesday to announce the launch of various projects in Nepal including the Baliyo Ghar, US ambassador to Nepal Alaina B.Teplitz pledged continued help to rebuild a safer and stronger Nepal. “This week, as Nepal marks six months since the April 25 earthquake, we are pleased to announce our new and expanded initiatives and pledge that we will continue to help rebuild a safer and stronger Nepal,” she said.

Usaid has further decided to expand its ongoing resilience project, Sabal, through increased investment of $2.7 million to train local masons in Sindupalchok and Kavrepalanchok districts, the most-affected districts in the April earthquake this year. In addition, Usaid has made a $9.6 million contribution to World Bank Nepal Earthquake Reconstruction Multi-Donor Trust Fund. This contribution will directly support government-led beneficiary survey in the 14 most-affected districts and provide housing reconstruction cash grants to affected homeowners, NSET stated. The support from the US government is a part of its commitment to invest $130 million in response to the earthquake in Nepal.