US to train 300,000 people on building safe houses in Nepal

KATHMANDU: The US will train 3 lakh people in Nepal on how to build strong houses under a USD 8 million aid programme, months after two deadly temblors shook the country and claimed nearly 9,000 lives.

The US, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), has announced three initiatives to support the Nepal's model of owner-driven housing reconstruction following the April 25 and May 12 earthquakes.

Building on previous investments, USAID programmes will train an estimated 13,500 local construction professionals and educate over 285,000 affected homeowners on building earthquake-resistant homes over the next five years.

Baliyo Ghar (strong house) is a five-year, USD 8 million project that will train local masons, carpenters, engineers and affected homeowners, the US embassy said in a statement.

It will be implemented by the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET) in cooperation with the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, Council for Technical Education and Vocational Training and National Planning Commission.

USAID will also expand its ongoing resilience project to invest USD 2.7 million in training local masons in Sindhupalchok and Kavrepalanchok districts.

In addition, USAID has made a USD 9.6 million contribution to the World Bank Nepal Earthquake Reconstruction Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

"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," said US Ambassador Alaina B Teplitz.

These new projects and expansions of existing programmes are valued at more than USD 20 million.

The two massive earthquakes that struck Nepal left nearly 9,000 people dead and injured over 21,000.