Kathmandu, Nepal: The Embassy of Japan and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Tuesday handed over a newly constructed prefabricated building to Nalgad Municipality in Jajarkot district, marking a key milestone in ongoing earthquake recovery efforts in Western Nepal.
The building is the first of ten such structures being constructed across earthquake-affected areas to strengthen community infrastructure and improve public service delivery. The initiative forms part of a broader recovery response following the November 2023 earthquake.
Funded by the Government of Japan and implemented in partnership with UN-Habitat and local organizations, the project spans municipalities in Jajarkot and Rukum West districts. These include Nalgad, Bheri, and Barekot in Jajarkot, as well as Aathbiskot and Sanibheri in Rukum West—among the areas hardest hit by the disaster.
The prefabricated buildings are replacing damaged public facilities and will be used to deliver essential services, including ward offices, immunization centers, and police posts.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Yasuharu Shinto, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan, expressed hope that the initiative would strengthen governance at the local and district levels. “This project will help ensure the continuity of basic service delivery, support long-term reconstruction, and enhance disaster preparedness,” he said.
Shinto also noted that the project contributes to celebrations marking 70 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and Nepal, further reinforcing bilateral cooperation.
UNDP Resident Representative Kyoko Yokosuka emphasized that disaster recovery goes beyond rebuilding physical infrastructure. “Recovery is a long-term process that requires sustained efforts to restore livelihoods, essential services, governance systems, and community facilities,” she said.
She also commended the leadership of local governments and stressed the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and effective use of the supported facilities.
Mayor of Nalgad Municipality, Dambar Bahadur Rawat, highlighted the project’s integrated approach, noting that it addresses not only infrastructure needs but also livelihoods, psychosocial support, and local governance. The initiative also focuses on strengthening emergency preparedness, response planning, and capacity-building efforts to enhance community resilience.
The project reflects coordinated efforts between international partners and local authorities to support recovery and build resilience in earthquake-affected regions of Western Nepal.
