Status of Housing Recovery and Reconstruction in Dolakha District.

Role of NGO in distribution of Housing Grant

Many NGOs supported the distribution of Housing Grant, NPR 200000, to the earthquake victims who lost their homes in April 2015. They helped National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) by providing logistics and human resources during the enrollment of the beneficiaries. 

Housing Recovery and Reconstruction Platform (HRRP) supported the housing grants distribution program of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) which was started in Singati, Dolakha as pilot project. Soon after NRA declared the date of enrollment, HRRP started coordinating with all the agencies working in Dolakha so as to harness their support for the process.  

In one of its coordination meeting, the platform nominated an organization,  NSET, as district lead partner organization (PO) to manage all the enrollment activities in the district. 

HRRP facilitated the pilot project in Singati through coordination, knowledge management and communication. In fact, HRRP was conveying information from NRA to the POs and back. Likewise, it also mapped the resources needed, and appealed the same to POs for their support. Moreover, HRRP made an interagency coordination for garnering resources—human and logistics—needed for the enrollment process. 

The enrollment of beneficiaries through the process of grant distribution was divided into three phases, namely pre-enrollment, enrollment and post-enrollment. 

A. Pre-enrollment Phase

The housing platform in the district conducted a number of coordination meetings followed by field observation of enrollment site. Next, it also mobilized POs for community mobilization in the villages so as to disseminate clear information to the people. Likewise, it also facilitated FM stations and local magazines to broadcast and cover the relevant information on enrollment. 

Next, HRRP harnessed the pledge of all the POs thereby garnering both the logistics and human resources. The enrollment site was thus prepared entirely through the effort of all the agencies working in the district. 

B. Enrollment Phase

During enrollment, there were separate desks namely, pre-document checking, information dissemination, document verification and filling of agreement forms, agreement desk, opening of bank account, technical information dissemination and grievance registering. 

i. Pre Checking of Documents 

The beneficiaries were guided through queues to this section. The volunteers assigned checked the availability of required documents, i.e. citizenship, land ownership certificate and CBS survey slip. Those having all the three documents were given access to the information desk. Otherwise, they were either returned or advised to go to the grievance registering desk. The beneficiaries could show photocopy of their documents in this section. 

ii. Dissemination of Information 

The beneficiaries coming to this section were registered first, then checked if their name matches with the list published by NRA.

Provided that they have all the documents, they were given the pertinent information on how to go ahead in the enrollment process. The information provided were installment of the grant, responsibility of the house owner and the government, and answer to any question they might ask. The beneficiaries were then sent to document verification desk.

If they have any issues, they will be guided to the particular desk that may address their problem, including grievance registering desk. To ease the process, they were given a slip with specific letters that represented the particular desk and a serial number. 

iii. Document Verification and Filling of Agreement Form

The photocopies were matched against the originals. In case of the documents with poorly visible dates, names and other credentials, further verification from the VDC secretaries or his/her assistants was needed. Therefore, it was imperative to deploy at least one government staffs, preferably a local one, in this section.  

After this scrutiny the volunteers of the POs filled two copies of the agreement forms for each of the beneficiaries. Likewise, two photographs, one for each copies, are needed to fill the forms.   

iv. Signing of Agreement 

The VDC secretary, after checking the documents, signed on the two copies of the agreement form. Meanwhile, the staffs of the POs helped him/her in further checking the documents, stamping and arranging the same. In addition, the secretary required his/her assistant to check the documents so as to avoid any variations. One copy of the document was kept at VDC secretary for official purpose where as another copy went with the beneficiary to push the process ahead. 

v. Upload into MIS

The signed documents were scanned and uploaded into MIS. An android tablet was used, in each desks, so that the scanned photographs were directly synched into the server. 

vi. Opening of Bank Account

The beneficiaries, with the signed agreement, were processed for opening of bank account. The bank staffs and volunteers assisted beneficiaries to fill two firms, one for account and another for ATM. It required 4 photographs. Further, the beneficiaries were given codes after opening of the account which will be used for identification during future transaction. Alternatively, if one has an account already in the same bank, the code/account number was registered for further processing.

vii. Dissemination of Technical Information

Engineer from DUDBC, Dolakha, together with technical staffs from POs oriented beneficiaries on building construction. So far, the information disseminated were display of 17 designs of earthquake resistant model houses, the cost involved in each, and process of attaining money in each of the three installments. Likewise, they disseminated the techniques of earthquake resistance to the ones who are willing to build the house of their own design.

The technical orientation sessions were conducted by using multimedia devices. 

viii. Registering of Grievance

The people who were not lucky enough to get through the enrollment process were directed to this section to register their problems. In this section, people could come either from documents pre-checking, information desk or document verification section.  

Usually, a government staff accompanied by POs staffs helped to register grievances through filling form. The beneficiaries also needed counselling and assurance that their problems will be addressed as soon as possible. 

C. Post Enrollment Phase  

After the beneficiaries went through the enrollment process, the next steps would be review of the process for betterment, management of the documents thus produced and the disbursement of the grant. 

Remembering the departed by lighting candle

Temporary Shelter for Earthquake Victims

The devastating earthquake, 7.8 of magnitude, and the successive aftershocks left many Nepalese homeless with huge loss of life and property. Sindhupalchok is one among the seriously affected 14 districts of Nepal.

But for those who resisted the shocks, and refused to die, had a mammoth challenge ahead to survive. Their ultimate ordeal of survival was harsher as the monsoon was approaching that could have had further battered them under the open sky.

Their torment took a different turn when a local NGO of Sinchupalchok, Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee (JGSS), and UN Habitat, a development partner for sustainable housing solution, decided to reduce their suffering by building temporary houses for them.

The procedure started immediately. On 21st July 2015, after getting approval from District Disaster Recovery Committee (DDRC) of the district both the organizations launched their extensive field operation in two of the villages--Irkhu and Kubinde.

The organizations could however gather limited resources merely enough for constructing 270 temporary houses. Therefore, they had to choose the most affected ones which was another daunting challenge to cope up with. Yet, the local authority together with peoples' representatives abided by the government's standard of selection of vulnerable people needing immediate support. The beneficiaries included single women, child headed household, elderly, family of the deceased, and disadvantaged groups, such as Dalits and ethnic minorities.

In each Village Development Committee (VDC), the selection committee comprising VDC secretary, political party representatives, Ward Citizen Forum, Female Child Health Volunteer (FCHV), Social Mobilizer, and teachers selected beneficiaries who need immediate support. As a result, beneficiaries were selected from each ward of those VDCs on a proportional basis. 

Further, personnel from both the organizations consolidated their field missions. They started by surveying the locations so as to prepare the land for construction. The team went to the selected beneficiaries, inspected the area, and recommended the area for temporary shelter. The victims, in tandem with these technical people, started digging for the foundation, erected frame, as well as did whatever they could on their own. In fact, the earthquake victims applied all those salvage materials, such as wood, broken CGI sheets and jute sacks, and used them wherever they fit into the newly built house.

Next, those people were provided with two bundles of CGI sheets as well as 7 man days of masons and carpenters. The skilled masons helped them to erect the frame and apply CGI. Those victims utilized all their residual resources and worked days and nights, doing all the unskilled work by themselves.  

Every day, as the work progressed, they looked ever brighter, ever happier and ever satisfied as their only shelter was taking its shape. Finally, they could see their own house, though temporary, standing tall and firm in front of them.

Their shattered hope of survival has revived again along with the house they've made from the scattered debris. Now, the people of Kubinde and Irkhu villages of Sindhupalchok district can not only stay safe from rain and winter but also avert the horrible death lurking deep beneath their feet. 

DSLR: Budget Solution to Filmmaking

Besides being portable and convenient DSLR offers many features of a cinema camera, but at affordable price which make it popular among aspiring filmmakers.  

DSLR camera has opened a whole new chapter in film making. Due to its photo and video capability, DSLR is greatly acclaimed by Indie filmmakers, videographers and cinematographers across the globe. Most DSLRs are portable, versatile and efficient tool for aspiring filmmakers and well suited to run and gun situation.  

Shooting video through DSLR has many advantages. Firstly, their large sensors and ability of hosting a variety of lenses give control over depth of field. They can produce videos with shallow depth of field that look more professional. Secondly, they can shoot videos at various frame rates, including academy standard 24fps, can produce cinema like motion blur. Thirdly, a new breed of powerful sensors can shoot in low light conditions. In fact, some cameras, such as Sony a7s Mark II, can virtually see in the dark due to their tremendous ISO sensitivity. Fourthly, the smaller size and weight of these cameras when coupled with appropriate wide angle lenses provide the opportunity to shoot in close-fitting locations. Moreover, most of the DSLRs are far more affordable than the cinema cameras.
  

DSLR cameras have some shortcomings too. Indeed, the lack of heaviness of these cameras yields shaky footages. Next, the CMOS sensor, the common image sensors in DSLRs, can distort images when panned quickly. This alteration of the subjects being filmed is known Rolling Shutter or Jello effect. Further, the sensor often mingles lines of a stripped object, known as Moiré, leaves us with little choice while shooting tight patterns. Additionally, the ability to preserve detail in highlight and shadow areas of an image, known as dynamic range, are limited in most DSLRs.  

Countless gears and techniques are available to make the best use of these DSLRs. For instance, the shaky footage can be cured not only in post production, but also averted by using tripods, stabilizers, sliders and gimbals. More recently, there are electronic 3 axisgimbals available in the market that help to produce smooth cinema like videos out of these DSLRs. Likewise, some third party software, Magic Lantern, can turn some Canon DSLRs into a descent cinema camera. Magic Lantern, when installed on the camera's SD card, adds some features--zebra stripe, time lapse, ISO bracketing, HDR shooting--in DSLR even if they are originally not available that camera.  
  

Depending upon the need and choice, there are several brands, varieties and line of DSLRs to choose from. Some are very affordable while others cost us a fortune. Budding Indie film maker can begin with Canon 550D, with a kit lens is available at less than 50,000 Rupees in Nepalese market. Likewise, Nikon D3200 also falls under similar price range. Both of them can shoot Full HD (1080p) videos, have APS-C sensors in common, are prosumer level cameras. Conversely, for pro-level users, these companies have higher end full frame versions. Nikon D810 hosts a whole bunch of great features needed for skilled hands. On the other hand, Canon's 5D Mark III, still the king of the hill, is widely used by professional cinematographers.

DSLRs are becoming so friendlier to the filmmakers that they've virtually replaced the need of more expensive cinema cameras. Although there are no replacement to the cinema cameras, the DSLRs offer an affordable solution to the creative geniuses who can produce masterpiece. Usually, the indie film makers are low in budget, crew and other gears where DSLRs are perfect to hone on their creative talent in filmmaking. Nevertheless, it's not the shooting device, but a well written story, appropriate camera movements, and skillful post production can harvest visually appealing piece of art. 

However, DSLRs are always good, inexpensive and easier to begin with. 

Praiseworthy Black-marketing!

The black market is often disagreeable. However, if the basic necessities are only available through smuggling, black-marketing is desirable.

Shady dealings of vital supplies—medicines, cooking oils and petroleum—flourished in Nepal after some dissident political forces, especially Madheshis, started obstructing the country’s southern border. After the promulgation of Nepal’s new constitution, the people living in the towns bordering India felt that their demand of constituencies based on population, among other demands, are not met. 

The Madheshis, who have ancestral lineage with India, were also supported by the people from the neighboring Indian towns. They started protesting at the border when the government failed to address their concerns.

Surprisingly, the government of India also landed blockade, though unofficial, thereby restricting the movement of essential goods—foods, medicines, raw materials and petroleum—from entering into Nepal.   

The repeated failure of dialogue between the government and the Madheshis left the border shut for almost 4 months. While every dialogue was a disaster, peoples’ need were being skyrocketed. However, their demands were barely met. As an alternative, people descended to using firewood instead of cooking gas. Likewise, some started to ride on bicycles rather than using motorcycles.

Out of the mundane daily schedule of protesting, some people of the bordering towns—both in India and Nepal discovered an enticing activity of smuggling petroleum across the border. Their newly found cross-border adventure was not only rewarding, but also enticing as it could earn them money that could feed their hungry children. Unlike the protests that could end up claiming their lives, some wise people of the border choose to trade essential goods and petroleum, though illicit, from India to Nepal.

Now, gallons of petrol and diesel are seen everywhere in major towns across the country. They are not available in government controlled fuel centers. One has to stay for several hours of tiresome queue to get the tank refilled. However, at the black market one can easily get the fuel at any desired amount.

Furthermore, buses travelling through the bordering towns are seen to carry gas tanks, petrol or diesel gallons, and other essential goods. Their support has been of paramount importance to the fuel thirsty mid hill towns including the capital city, Kathmandu, of the country.

Although, the black market has soared the prices of some of the essential goods, people have not commented on thinking that those goods are, at least, being available.

The government of Nepal is still inconclusive on addressing the demand of Madheshis thinking that it will lead to the disintegration of the country. Now, it can neither let the illicit trade to foster nor can stop it from happening. At this juncture, only the black market is supplying enough fuel to run most of the vehicles throughout the country.

Sometimes, smuggling is worth praising for.