Need of holistic approach maybe?
Interesting issue and wanted to be part of ongoing discussion. Much appreciation for the effort @meenabhatta.
Response to author’s question:
Q.1. First: how to keep the existing community spirit alive and mobilize it for the purpose of reconstruction activities;
A. 1. Creating environment of “TRUST”. Resort to the right based partnership approach with local community in reconstruction activities. Empowerment along with reconstruction.
Q.2. Second, how best can international community help to reconstruct Nepal and maintain community resiliency at the same time;
A.2. International community should;
-Focus on long term reconstruction approach and also focus on human resource aspect.
-Need assessment and must partnership with locals before finalizing plans.
-Financial assistance is an obvious area where international community is indispensable.
-Bring to Nepal best practices and knowledge, expertise etc.
-International community need to practice what they preach.
Q.3. Third and perhaps the most important one is can these groups of ‘island of civility’ be trusted enough to take up broader responsibilities in shaping Nepal’s political future and civil society?
A.3. It looks promising but it’s too early to decide. With right mentorship and development it is very much possible for the groups to be next face of Nepal’s politics and CSOs.
I would like to identify some of the issues that might be interesting in the ongoing debate of reconstruction. I am making my comments being based on issues raised broadly in public domain and which needs to be addressed if we are seeking more than Band-Aid approach in Nepal in relation to post disaster reconstruction.
#Question of Transparency/Accountability:
The government of Nepal does not have credible history of accountability, the question relating to accountability of government in fund mobilization has often been in question. During the post-quake phase, the accountability of government in terms fundraising and mobilization has be subjected to severe skepticism from world community.
In the current context not only government but transparency of financial aspect of NGOs and INGOs has been issue of discussion. Please refer to: http://myrepublica.com/t20/item/22748-commentary-ingos-show-us-your-numbers.html
We have also witnessed claims and counter claims from CSOs and the government relating to post quake relief activities. CSOs have also alleged government of not cooperating and even playing obstructive role in post-earthquake relief activities. Please refer to: http://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/voices/earthquake-relief-nepal-could-be-better-if-civil-society-s-hands-weren-t-tied
The broader concerns of reconstruction, Communitarian Approach and other opportunities can only be materialized being based on principle of accountability and transparency. Accountability and transparency of stakeholder involved.
#Post-Disaster need of Nepal is not an ad-hoc need
Nepal is and always have been prone to natural disaster including but not limited to earthquake, landslide, flooding etc. The post disaster reconstruction this time should include capacity building aspect of locals as well. Let’s construct the human side as well i.e. working towards generating specialized human resources {pool of specialized human resources} in disaster management, crisis management, search and rescue, academic, analyst, economist, scientist etc.
We need expert in these area with contextual knowledge. When we focus on re-construction, we need to focus on this side as well. So, when disaster hits us next time, at least we have specialized people who knows how to lead the volunteers and those who want to help. This will make the effort more effective.
We need post disaster specialist in various domain as Nepal is susceptible to natural disaster.
#Pre-emptive steps in maintenance and assessment
The reconstruction approach should (mutually) promote the idea of pre-emptive maintenance and assessment of buildings. Particular attention is desirable in case of cultural heritage. One of the very pervasive practice of government of Nepal is absence of regular monitoring and maintenance. This is applicable in case of cultural heritage, roads, bridges, government including (including embassies abroad).
So the reconstruction aspect should also alarm government and general public about need and benefits of timely assessment, maintenance and observation of buildings, Sites etc.
#Nepalese youth and social media
The period of earthquake and days aftermath showed us how intriguingly Nepalese youth are involved and active in social media including twitter, Facebook, etc. We should actively use this platform to inform the users regarding the reconstruction and issues associated with it.
This live in age where information is power and social media is platform for sharing information. The reconstruction program must use social media to share stories, update information and generate public opinion.
The “crowd funding” using Facebook as promotional platform and trend on twitter #GoHomeIndianMedia shows how much powerful social media can be in creating and sharing opinion.
Social media mobilization must be part of reconstruction as information platform.
#Need of Co-ordination and synchronization of effort.
The support and helping hands extended to Nepal was unprecedented, however one might argue that it lacked co-ordination and efforts were not synchronized in appropriate manner. There has been news reports of disaster site with overabundance of relief material and some places being unseen and unheard of.
The mobilization of resources, need assessment, equitable distribution relief has issue of concern and this must be seen as important variable in reconstruction process.
youth leadership and glimpse of hope
During the post-earthquake phase Nepalese youth has shown immense hope with the leadership and volunteering spirit. There has been various notable group of individual, youth led organization that have demonstrated that the next generation of youth more than capable of leadership. With appropriate mentoring and appreciation this youth who are helping Nepal to rise can lead the country.
We need to focus on next generation leaders and need to start mentoring them.
Will come back with more input.
Regards,
Barun
Hope you understand. What you do outside of this public space is of course your own business. In many countries, copying any book for friends and family is legal, for example.