THESIS ABSTRACT

Abstract

The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) recognizes the significance of establishing secure and resilient health sector infrastructure to ensure continuous access to essential healthcare services and to facilitate post-disaster reconstruction. However, in numerous countries, achieving this goal remains more of an aspiration than a reality. This reality was evident in the aftermath of the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, which exposed significant vulnerabilities within Nepal's health sector infrastructure. This event highlighted the urgent need for health facility reconstruction in earthquake-affected regions and spurred initiatives to enhance healthcare infrastructure across the entirety of Nepal. This study aims to uncover key challenges, potential opportunities, and effective strategies to alleviate post-earthquake reconstruction hurdles faced by healthcare sector buildings in Nepal. The investigation encompasses 106 health sector buildings spread across 9 diverse districts i.e. Gorkha, Gulmi, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk, Ramechhap, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Dolakha. These buildings, currently undergoing construction in 21 packages, are funded by the Government of India (GOI). The research employed a uniform set of 151 questionnaires, distributed among client, consultant, and contractor representatives. From the collected responses, 137 valid ones were considered for analysis. The study identifies five major categories of challenges that encompass the key issues in the post-earthquake reconstruction of health sector buildings in Nepal. Among these, the "resources challenges" emerged as the most significant, followed by "legal" and "physical and territorial challenges." Additionally, the study found "management and coordination" and "social and cultural challenges" to be the fourth and fifth key challenges, respectively, in the context of health sector building reconstruction funded by GOI in Nepal. The research focuses on employing systematic partial least squares structural equation modeling to establish direct relationships between the identified challenges categories and the challenges of post-earthquake reconstruction. ` vii The research employed the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) methodology to uncover potential post-earthquake reconstruction opportunities within the health sector buildings. These prospects were classified into four components, with the "seismic resilience and opportunity framework" standing out as the most significant. In a similar vein, "Disaster resilient health infrastructure," "Rebuilding for prosperity program," and "International aid for economic growth" ranked as the second, third, and fourth promising opportunities for post-earthquake reconstruction of health sector buildings funded by GOI in Nepal. Moreover, Key Informant Interviews (KII) were conducted in this study to propose strategies addressing challenges in post-earthquake reconstruction for health sector buildings. The findings highlighted critical strategies encompassing seasonal considerations, transportation, and material management, post-disaster reconstruction readiness, stakeholder engagement, community involvement, as well as quality assurance, and project management. Post-earthquake reconstruction is a complex process that requires careful coordination of interrelated actions. This research proposes a recommendation that underscores the importance of collaboration between government entities and construction experts. The suggestion entails the integration of significant challenges and favorable prospects throughout the construction process. It is suggested that before project initiation and during the construction phase, both parties engage in the identification of potential challenges and opportunities, along with the formulation of appropriate strategies.

Keywords

Disaster Risk Reduction, Post-disaster Reconstruction, Challenges, Opportunities, Strategies.