Nepal’s interim government is reaching out for donations to rebuild public buildings and infrastructure wrecked during the intense Gen-Z protests on September 8 and 9. The move comes after widespread arson and vandalism left key sites in ruins, including the historic Singha Durbar government complex, the President’s Office, and the Supreme Court.
At a press conference on Thursday, Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Kulman Ghising shared exciting news: the government has set up a high-level Physical Infrastructure Reconstruction Committee and launched a special fund to handle repairs, economic recovery, and relief efforts. “We’re calling on everyone—individuals, businesses, and even international partners—to chip in,” Ghising said alongside Finance Minister Rameshwor Khanal. The fund will cover everything from fixing damaged structures to buying new equipment and supporting affected communities.
The protests, part of the youth-led Gen-Z movement, caused massive destruction across Nepal. Officials estimate the total damage could top 200 billion Nepalese rupees (NRs), with preliminary figures suggesting losses might exceed one kharba—around a trillion rupees in broader terms. Teams from government and private sectors are still assessing the full extent, but early reports show permanent damage to many buildings alongside repairable ones.
Leading the five-member committee is Finance Minister Rameshore Khanal, with input from the Home Minister and Urban Development Minister. Their job? Craft a detailed action plan for Nepal’s infrastructure reconstruction, approve spending from the fund, and keep a close eye on progress. The Ministry of Urban Development will run the secretariat to keep things organized. The committee starts with a one-year term but can extend by six months if needed.
Donations will flow from federal, provincial, and local governments, plus generous contributions from Nepalis at home and abroad. International aid from foreign governments, organizations, and corporate social responsibility initiatives is welcome too, as long as it gets the green light from the Finance Ministry. Public buildings weren’t insured, so the fund becomes crucial for recovery—unlike private businesses, which have filed nearly 2,000 insurance claims already.
Take Oriental Insurance, a private firm hit hard with claims worth 5.147 billion NRs. Siddhartha Premier Insurance reported 258 claims totaling 4.93 billion NRs, while Shikhar Insurance faces 366 claims amounting to 2.39 billion NRs. Even Nepal Reinsurance Company, the government-backed reinsurer, is on the hook for 11.77 billion NRs from 14 insurers. Big names affected include Bhat-Bhateni Superstore, Kantipur Media Group, Ullens School, and even a shocking theft of 18 kg of gold from a Rastriya Banijya Bank branch.
Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s team sees this as a key step to get Nepal back on its feet after the Gen-Z protests shook the nation. By rallying support for reconstruction efforts, they’re aiming to restore not just buildings, but also stability and economic growth for everyone.
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