Earthquake and disaster risk reduction in Nepal

Jasmaya, a 50 year old woman, resident of Wamrang tole I ward-8 of Baramche VDC is blind. Being blind life was not easy for her and after the earthquake there were more miseries. Firstly she had to live in temporary shelter to which she was not accustomed to. Secondly it had become difficult for her to do her daily chores. There are 20 HHs in Wamrang tole with a population of 105. Most of the households in the tole belong to indigenous Tamang community.

After the earthquake PHASE Nepal constructed a Drinking Water supply scheme in the village. It benefitted all the villagers but Jasmaya was the happiest of all. Her happiness knew no bounds after the construction of the drinking water system. The reasons for her happiness were the drinking water was near her how which enables her to fetch water whenever she needs it. Her physical strain alongwith the fear of getting hurt to fetch water from far off distance has vanished into thin air. She is very particular regarding hygiene and cleanliness and with the availability she can maintain her hygiene and cleanliness habit. Most important of all was the fact that the community people realized that even differently able people are capable of contributing in community development work in a major way.  The most important lesson that we learn while constructing the drinking water project was the fact that people who are differently able can also contribute equally in the development works says Secretary of the drinking water User's committee Mr. Pemba Lama. Jasmaya is a glaring example of it.  He further added that the total cost of the drinking water scheme was Rs 418,000/- of which 10% of the cost that stands at Rs 42,000/- was contributed by community people in kind. It has helped in creating a sense of ownership among the community people