Emergency Resettlement
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This project, which was implemented in 2012, funds resettlement activity for two hundred and thirty (230) households, after an eviction in Thapathali settlement. On 8th May 2012, Pourakhi Basti, a community on the Bagmati river bank was forcibly evicted in the initiation of High Powered Bagmati Civilization Integrated Development Committee (HPBCIDC). Two hundred and fifty (250) huts were demolished including the school buildings and other communal structures. At least two hundred and forty-eight (248) families became homeless. The project is funded using SDI’s revolved funds (made of loan repayments from other projects). Some households have been moved to Manohra settlement.
Location: Thapathali, Thapatha, NepalProject activity includes collaborating with communities to identify resettlement sites, prepare the land for construction of transit homes and to undertake maintenance of existing homes. Meetings were held with the evicted communities, other informal settlement representatives, the Alliance, the Department of Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), the Ministry of Urban Development (MUD), the Department of Surveys, UN-Habitat, and other stakeholders in order to decide on the best possible alternatives. An agreement has been reached with Manohara settlement for the relocation of thirteen (13) families from Thapathali to Manohara.
Community capacity:The Manohara community was provided with financial support in the form of improvements to a local community school’s electricity facilities.
Scale:The project has the potential to be scaled up at a national level. However, this requires a change in Government policy, which encourages capital investment from the Government and other institutions.
Impact:The project illustrates the need to rehabilitate people suffering from forced eviction. As national policy in Nepal does not give clear direction on slum rehabilitation, such projects have a potential role to play in influencing this. Yet to date little has happened in terms of policy reformulation. The Nepali Alliance plans to continue lobbying the Government for adequate relocation and rehabilitation of slums.
Finance: SDI Contributions:SDI contributed US$50,000.00
Resources Leveraged:Lumanti and Kathmandu Valley Development Authority (KVDA) agreed that, for the voluntary shifting, Lumanti will provide additional Rs.10,000 support and KVDA will provide Rs.15,000. KVDA had requested that Lumanti prepare a concept note on 'Housing for ALL' for Kathmandu valley. The concept note has been prepared and submitted to KVDA. KVDA is also working on the idea of 'declaring Kathmandu valley free of informal settlements' in the next 4.5 years. Lumanti has supported KVDA to prepare a concept and draft presentation material to share with the concerned government authorities to move this concept forward.
Market Generated Returns:None to date.
Costs recovered from community:None to date.
| Contact | Telephone | Website | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lajana Manandhar | lajana.manandhar@gmail.com | (+9771) 544 926 | View Website |
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Project information updated: 25 February 2016
Project in depth
Detailed Information
Two hundred and fifty (250) huts were demolished including the school buildings and other communal structures. At least two hundred and forty-eight (248) families became homeless. Three days after the eviction, Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai visited the evicted community and promised relocation support. The Department for Urban Development and Building Construction (DUDBC), the Government agency responsible for housing, started dialogue on providing temporary shelter for the evicted families and the Alliance provided them with data on the evicted community. DUDBC came up with a list of thirteen (13) vulnerable families who they recommended be provided shelter soon. The other remaining families did not become the priority of DUDBC.
The intention is to provide relocation assistance for the two hundred and forty-eight households who were forcibly evicted from their homes. This involves collaborating with communities to identify resettlement sites, prepare the land for construction of transit homes and to undertake maintenance of existing homes.
Community capacity:The communities were intimately involved in the identification of sites to which they could be relocated to. They were also involved in the preparation of the identified sites for their occupation as well as in the maintenance of existing homes in the sites .
Scale:The project has the potential to be replicated in similar situations, even though the hope is that evictions can be stopped altogether. The NGO and the Federation plan to continue to lobby the Government for proper relocation / rehabilitation of the slums. The NGO can also contribute in mobilising funds from donor organisations and support the relocation of people.
Scaling will be based upon the implementation of a successful demonstration project in addition to changes in Government policy. An improvement in the relationship with the Government and the community network is also important factors.
Impact:The intention is, firstly, to prevent further evictions from occurring through lobbying for government policy changes as well as changes in how informal settlements are perceived. To this end, the Federation has started linking with the youth organisations affiliated with the key political parties to get the political support on anti-eviction drive. The Federation continues to participate in all the meetings and discussions called by the various Government agencies.
Finance: SDI Contributions:SDI contributed US$50,000.00. Of this amount, US$2,437.00 went towards project-linked technical assistance.
Costs recovered from community:A certain percentage of loans will be recovered in the later phases of the project. These recovered loans will be put into a revolving fund, for further Federation activity, increasing beneficiaries.
Manandhar, S. (2014). Evicted Once, Nepali Squatters Living in the Ruins of a Razed River Settlement Fear a Recurring Nightmare. [Online]. Available: http://globalpressjournal.com/asia/nepal/evicted-once-nepali-squatters-living-in-the-ruins-of-a-razed-river-settlement-fear-a-recurring-nightmare/.
Poudel, A. (2012). Government Bulldozes Bagmati Squatter Settlement. [Online]. Available: https://southasiarev.wordpress.com/2012/05/18/nepal-squatter-settlements-bulldozed-police-fire-teargas-and-rubber-bullets/.
Sharma. N. (2013). Squatters don't See Benefits of Moving into Government Apartments in Ichangunarayan. [Online]. Available: http://www.myrepublica.com/portal/index.php?action=news_details&news_id=66528.
Funding Information
Raised: | $50,000.00 |
Funding type: | Grant funding |
Implementing Partners
Lumanti
