TITLE:
Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction in Rural Nepal: A Case Study in the Aftermath of the 2015 Nepal Earthquake
AUTHORS:
Dipendra Dhakal, Niranjan Adhikari, Keiko Yoshino
KEYWORDS:
Local Resources, Mutual Help, Nepal Earthquake, Post-Disaster Housing Reconstruction, Rural Households, Sustainable Livelihood
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Earthquake Research,
Vol.14 No.4,
November
19,
2025
ABSTRACT: Globally increasing intensity and frequency of disasters disproportionately affect rural populations, who are particularly vulnerable to damage. Disasters also have far-reaching impacts on the built environment and lead to significant economic losses required for the post-disaster reconstruction of houses and infrastructure. Housing plays a crucial role in fostering sustainability and well-being in people’s lives. If houses are damaged, individuals are compelled to reside in evacuation shelters or temporary residences for extended periods, hindering the potential for sustainable livelihoods and quality of life. This study examines various factors, such as mutual cooperation, local resource utilization, topographical considerations, and seasonal influences, aimed at fostering effective post-disaster housing reconstruction in rural communities in developing countries. A questionnaire survey including key informant interviews was conducted in the affected areas to collect the primary data. The study also incorporates additional information, such as government policies for post-disaster housing reconstruction and physical observation of the affected areas. The collected information is analyzed using descriptive statistics, including data visualization. The study found that households that primarily utilized local resources and engaged in mutual assistance, such as labor exchange, were able to accelerate their reconstruction efforts. The study includes discussions about utilizing local resources and mutual cooperation for prompt reconstruction and the scope for future research on post-disaster reconstruction in rural areas.