The Nepal Water and Energy Development Company Private Limited (NWEDC) with support from K-Consortium, IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, and the German development finance institution DEG, has re-built schools and provided vital assistance to survivors of the April 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people in the country.

“Our relief efforts have established a new level of trust between our company and stakeholders affected by the earthquake,” said NWEDC Chief Executive Officer Bo Seuk Yi in a statement. “We helped these communities get back on their feet and restore their livelihoods.” The 7.8 magnitude earthquake had destroyed 80 percent of the Upper Trishuli-1 Hydro-Electric Project (UT-1) and surrounding villages in Rasuwa district.

Responding to the disaster, the NWEDC and its partners created a fund of about $67,000 (Rs6.7 million) for immediate relief including food, tarpaulins, blankets, and utensils. The company airlifted 67 injured people by helicopter for emergency medical treatment. With support from the local District Development Committee, Ministry of Health and Department of Education, the company managed to raise further funds totalling $400,000 from sponsors and prospective lenders. It distributed more than 40 tonnes of rice and 1,450 litres of cooking oil to nearly 900 families living in temporary shelters. It supported construction of 265 temporary shelters by distributing more than 1,500 tonnes of roofing CGI sheets. The second phase of reconstruction efforts provided social infrastructure, including two schools in Dhunche and Ramche VDC and a health post in Haku VDC in Rasuwa district. The school will benefit children of around 1,000 families.

“This work showcases how a private anchor investor can build and strengthen social resilience among project-affected people. We hope this work will help these communities leapfrog out of poverty,”said Pablo Cardinale, IFC Principal Specialist and Environmental and Social Lead for the UT-1 Project financing at the opening ceremony of the newly-rebuilt school in Dhunche.

Amid school’s inauguration ceremony, lawmaker Chobang Tenzing Tamang said, “With completing the construction of these schools, UT-1 has demonstrated a good example of how to win the heart of local people with proving itself a good friend in a dire need after devastating earthquake.”

Speaking on the occasion, Chief District Officer of Rasuwa Jhamindra Neupane said, “ We are very much thankful to UT-1 for completing these schools on time that will benefit students of deprived families of Ramche and Dhunche VDCs.”