Community Participation to Build Back Better: Evidence from the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes

Abstract

Community-based recovery is a process where the recovery is enhanced by using social capital, placing the community at the center of the recovery process. The community’s capacity to aid recovery should be instrumental to recovery processes and is thought to enhance the ability of the community to build back better. The transfer of experience and knowledge from the community could accelerate recovery, as community needs are at the forefront of the recovery. Using ancient and traditional knowledge coupled with modern technologies can enhance recovery. A better recovery is unlikely without active participation from the community. This study focuses on post-disaster recovery based on community participation following the Nepal earthquakes. It aims to understand the role of active community participation in building back better and its implications for improving recovery. This research considers practical implications from the case study of Nepal. The methods used in this research include observations after the earthquakes in Nepal on April and May of 2015. Active community participation was observed after the Nepal earthquakes (25 April and 12 May 2015). Volunteers from the community were active in the immediate rescue, and locally available materials were used to construct temporary shelters. The community was active in preparing food and in the distribution of water supply. Findings suggest the importance of social relationships, trust, respect, and value for each other enhanced recovery. Building better community cohesiveness and assisting community-based recovery help withstand future disasters. Social cohesion, social bonds, relationships, communications, neighborhood, and festivals are important for enhanced recovery. This paper reinforces the need for active community participation in disaster recovery.