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JICA Nepal Office Quarterly Newsletter June 2017 Vol 73 I t has been two years since the devastating 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on 25th April that took 9,000 lives, injured 25,000 people and destroyed thousands of houses and infrastructures in different parts of the country. Nepalese people in the past two years have showcased resilience and courage, followed by development activities that have assured people that even in the darkest of times, a nation can emerge stronger and more focused on creating the future it wants, reflective of people’s hopes and dreams. Being a longtime development partner in Nepal, the Government of Japan and JICA’s involvement was immediate from the following day itself. Immediately after the earthquake, Japan mobilized Japan Disaster Relief teams for rescue and medical services through JICA. JICA Nepal facilitated advanced search and rescue through immediate medical support and established a strong EQ recovery team to undertake emergency response, restoration and reconstruction works. Also JICA Nepal mobilized assistance through investigation team at the disaster site, applied intelligence and physical strength through relevant departments in office. Acknowledging these enduring efforts JICA Nepal Office won JICA President Award for Efforts to restore and rebuild Nepal post-earthquake for 2016. JICA has prepared and implemented various projects regarding recovery, mainly school reconstruction in Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, Makwanpur, Rasuwa, Lalitpur, Dhading and Nuwakot , rehabilitation of cultural heritages in Kathmandu and Patan, large scale and small scale public infrastructures such as hospitals, bridges, health posts, police offices, and VDC offices in Gorkha, Sinhupalchowk and Kathmandu. In Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk, JICA is also supporting housing reconstruction as well as activities related to livelihood recovery and enhancement for affected farmers, district recovery and rehabilitation plans in Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk; and technical support in making and utilizing landslide hazard maps of these two districts. JICA has provided Japanese expertise and have assigned an expert to the Department of Archaeology for rehabilitation of cultural heritages in Nepal. All the recovery activities follow the ‘Build Back Better’ principle. Government of Japan has committed a total of NRs 30 billion for supporting reconstruction and recovery in Nepal. Other investments of JICA include contribution to the Government of Nepal’s fund which mainly comprise of providing cash subsidies for housing grant to the EQ victims. To commemorate the 2 nd anniversary of the Gorkha Earthquake, JICA Nepal, the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) jointly organized a seminar - “From Post-Earthquake Reconstruction to Disaster Risk Reduction: Lessons Learned in Mainstreaming Build Back Better (BBB) in the Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts in Nepal” on 26 th April, 2017. BUILDING RESILIENT NEPAL The seminar highlighted progress and achievements in the last two years including JICA’s contribution in diverse areas of recovery and reconstruction work based on the principle of BBB. At the same time, it offered an opportunity for acknowledging the challenges and teasing out important lessons learned which would help accelerate the progress in the coming years. During his opening remarks, Dr. Govind Raj Pokharel, Chief Executive Officer of the NRA, stated that although there are many challenges in expediting recovery work, the message of BBB has reached villages where people now understand how to build resilient houses, thanks to various partners’ support. Two earthquake victims who have benefitted from JICA’s support shared their hardships, concerns and issues they have faced in rebuilding their lives. Their presentations helped portray a real picture of ordinary people’s situation on the ground, as well as empowerment processes initiated at the individual level. Under Construction DADO office building in Chautara, Sindhupalchowk TWO JICA in History. THREE JICA Felicitated by Radio Nepal. FOUR Strengthening Educational Endeavors. EIGHT News in Brief : Ensuring Media Sector’s Significance and Neutrality During the Elections.

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June 2017 NEWSLETTER 1

JICA Nepal OfficeQ u a r t e r l y N e w s l e t t e r

June 2017Vol 73

It has been two years since the devastating 7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on 25th April that took 9,000 lives, injured 25,000 people

and destroyed thousands of houses and infrastructures in different parts of the country.

Nepalese people in the past two years have showcased resilience and courage, followed by development activities that have assured people that even in the darkest of times, a nation can emerge stronger and more focused on creating the future it wants, reflective of people’s hopes and dreams.

Being a longtime development partner in Nepal, the Government of Japan and JICA’s involvement was immediate from the following day itself. Immediately after the earthquake, Japan mobilized Japan Disaster Relief teams for rescue and medical services through JICA. JICA Nepal facilitated advanced search and rescue through immediate medical support and established a strong EQ recovery team to undertake emergency response, restoration and reconstruction works. Also JICA Nepal mobilized assistance through investigation team at the disaster site, applied intelligence and physical strength through relevant departments in office. Acknowledging these enduring efforts JICA Nepal Office won JICA President Award for Efforts to restore and rebuild Nepal post-earthquake for 2016.

JICA has prepared and implemented various projects regarding recovery, mainly school reconstruction in Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, Makwanpur, Rasuwa, Lalitpur, Dhading and Nuwakot , rehabilitation of cultural heritages in Kathmandu and Patan, large scale and small scale public infrastructures such as hospitals,

bridges, health posts, police offices, and VDC offices in Gorkha, Sinhupalchowk and Kathmandu. In Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk, JICA is also supporting housing reconstruction as well as activities related to livelihood recovery and enhancement for affected farmers, district recovery and rehabilitation plans in Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk; and technical support in making and utilizing landslide hazard maps of these two districts. JICA has provided Japanese expertise and have assigned an expert to the Department of Archaeology for rehabilitation of cultural heritages in Nepal. All the recovery activities follow the ‘Build Back Better’ principle.

Government of Japan has committed a total of NRs 30 billion for supporting reconstruction and recovery in Nepal. Other investments of JICA include contribution to the Government of Nepal’s fund which mainly comprise of providing cash subsidies for housing grant to the EQ victims.

To commemorate the 2nd anniversary of the Gorkha Earthquake, JICA Nepal, the National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) jointly organized a seminar - “From Post-Earthquake Reconstruction to Disaster Risk Reduction: Lessons Learned in Mainstreaming Build Back Better (BBB) in the Recovery and Reconstruction Efforts in Nepal” on 26th April, 2017.

BUILDING RESILIENT NEPAL

The seminar highlighted progress and achievements in the last two years including JICA’s contribution in diverse areas of recovery and reconstruction work based on the principle of BBB. At the same time, it offered an opportunity for acknowledging the challenges and teasing out important lessons learned which would help accelerate the progress in the coming years. During his opening remarks, Dr. Govind Raj Pokharel, Chief Executive Officer of the NRA, stated that although there are many challenges in expediting recovery work, the message of BBB has reached villages where people now understand how to build resilient houses, thanks to various partners’ support. Two earthquake victims who have benefitted from JICA’s support shared their hardships, concerns and issues they have faced in rebuilding their lives. Their presentations helped portray a real picture of ordinary people’s situation on the ground, as well as empowerment processes initiated at the individual level.

Under Construction DADO office building in Chautara, Sindhupalchowk

TWOJICA in History.

THREE JICA Felicitated by Radio Nepal.

FOURStrengthening Educational Endeavors.

EIGHTNews in Brief : Ensuring Media Sector’s Significance and Neutrality During the Elections.

NEWSLETTER June 20172

...contd from pg 1BUILDING RESILIENT NEPAL

Cover Story

NRA provided the latest updates on the Government’s reconstruction and recovery efforts and its renewed strategy for accelerating the pace of recovery and reconstruction, followed by a brief overview of Japanese assistance for reconstruction and recovery in Nepal which emphasized how the BBB approach had been incorporated into JICA’s wide range of recovery support. At this 2-year juncture event, JICA also expressed its strong commitment to play a leading role in assisting Nepal in the DRR area including its ongoing efforts to operationalize the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) in Nepal.

Mr. Kimio Takeya, Distinguished Technical Advisor to the President of JICA, emphasized the unique contributions Japan could make to enhance DRR resilience by taking advantage of its first-hand experiences as an earthquake prone country. His call for improving the DRR preparedness in Nepal was echoed by Mr. Krishna Bahadur Raut, Joint Secretary of MOHA, who expressed the Government’s

firm commitment to mainstream DRR priority actions into the recovery and reconstruction work as well as the regular development initiatives.

Mr. Jun Sakuma, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, concluded the seminar by reaffirming JICA’s continuous support for rebuilding lives, economies and institutions affected by the earthquake. He stated: “There is no doubt about recovery and reconstruction from the EQ being the most imperative issue. However, drawing the lessons from the recovery and reconstruction process and utilizing

them for making disaster resilient society in continuum are equally important.” This was reiterated by Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, H.E. Mr. Masashi Ogawa, who said “As a true friend of Nepal and a country with a long history of natural disasters, Japan will continue to support the Build Back Better in Nepal.”

There is no doubt about recovery and reconstruction from the EQ being the most imperative issue. However, drawing the lessons from the recovery and reconstruction process and utilizing them for making disaster resilient society in continuum are equally important. At this juncture, JICA Nepal ensures to continue its support on reconstruction while further pursuing to enhance DRR to attain the future resilient Nepal in cooperation with all the major stakeholders.

JICA’s new Build Back Better brochure is now available at JICA office; also you can access it from the following link. https://www.jica.go.jp/nepal/english/office/others/brochure.html

From left to right: Mr. Kimio Takeya, Distinguished Technical Advisor to the President, JICADr. Govind Pokharel, Chief Executive Officer, National Reconstruction Authority, NepalMr. Krishna Bahadur Raut, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, NepalMr. Jun Sakuma, Chief Representative, JICA Nepal OfficeH.E. Mr. Masashi Ogawa, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal

Commemoration Seminar on the 2nd Anniversary of the Gorkha Earthquake.

NATURAL WATER FISHERIES DEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Joint cooperation project between Government of Nepal and JICA to boost up the fish production from the natural bodies was implemented in the decade of 90s. The objective of the project was to improve research and survey technique for aquaculture development based in Pokhara Fisheries Research Centre, and thus increasing fish production to contribute to the development of fish culture and increase in animal protein supply for the people in mid-hill region. The project also worked to strengthen the capability on research and management of the Seed production Centre through the technology transfer.

Grant Aid Project of JPY 520million (1991-1993):• ConstructionofFisheriesResearch

Centre Office Building, Store house and 50 Ponds at Begnas, Kaski District.

• ConstructionofFisheriesResearchDivision, Godawari, Lalitpur District.

• DevelopmentofLaboratoryFacilities.• Providedvariousmachinery,training

equipment and vehicles.• Constructionofwell-equippedfish

hatchery laboratory.

Technical Cooperation Project (1991-1996):• Dispatchof7longtermand20short

term Japanese experts who provided technical support regarding layout of the laboratories and management skills of Fisheries research Centre for smooth operation of Begnas seed production Centre. And Begnas Center could become a leading fisheries research institution in the mid-hill region.

• 11NepaleseScientistsandTechnicianswere sent to Japan for training in different field of aquaculture.

JICA IN History

Follow-up Program of natural Water Fisheries Development Project (Nov 1996-Oct 1998)• Consideringtheimprovementinthe

fish breeding and nursing management technique, fingerling production technology has been standardized for mid hill region like Pokhara.

The Project proved successful and achieved most of its goals within its seven-eight years of cooperation. It has helped to strengthen and upgrade the facilities in Fisheries Research Centers Pokhara, Godawari & Trishuli. It also helped to increase self-employment opportunities for the local people as they could easily get fingerling and hence increased fish production.

Agriculture Research Centre Office for Fishery in Pokhara.

June 2017 NEWSLETTER 3

Projects/Programs

Radio Nepal (1st Radio service of Nepal) recently celebrated its 67th anniversary. During the occasion, Hon. Minister of Information and Communications Mr. Surendra Kumar Karki presented token of appreciation to JICA Nepal for its significant support to Radio Nepal spanning 3 decades.

JICA provided Technical Cooperation and Grant Aid to Radio Nepal for building infrastructure, expansion and improvement of radio broadcasting network, development of broadcasting stations and capacity development of Radio Nepal officials. Such contributions lead to expanded reach and right to information, promotion of language, literature, art & culture that endorsed Peace Building and Democratization in Nepal.

JICA FELICITATED BY RADIO NEPAL

Mr. Jun Sakuma (Chief Representative JICA Nepal) receiving the certificate of appreciation from Minister of Information and Communications at Radio Nepal premises.

Japan, being the living lab for Earthquake Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and a development partner to Nepal for long, has been continuously extending its cooperation to Nepal in the area of earthquake DRR. The risk assessment study of 2001-02 revealed the level of risk in Kathmandu Valley and further suggested ways of reducing the risks. The findings of the study were instrumental to trigger the awareness development, institutional set up and programming to some extent, although JICA’s expectations were not fulfilled at the time of project formulation. In the last decade, Kathmandu Valley witnessed rapid population growth and huge numbers of building construction including the introduction of high-raised apartments.

Realizing the necessity of gauzing the earthquake risks in the rapidly changing urban landscape, JICA extended support to conduct another assessment in response to the request from the Ministry of Urban Development. The risk assessment project is led by the Ministry of Urban Development participated by the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Mines and Geology. The project design was completed in January 2015 and the Project began in May 2015; Nepal witnessed Gorkha Earthquake in April 2015 the largest after the earthquake in 1934. This incident further underlined the importance of such assessments, which

follows the fundamental logic of namely three components – (i) hazard analysis based on the scenario earthquakes, (ii) risk assessment based on the result of hazard analysis primarily the ground shaking, and (iii) preparation of disaster risk management plans based on the informed risks. First two components are completed under the leadership of the Department of Mines and Geology and Ministry of Urban Development respectively. Now, the project is at the last stage and working for the third component under the leadership of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Three scenarios namely: Far-Mid Western Nepal, Western Nepal, and Central Nepal South were taken for the hazard analysis. Among those three scenarios, Central Nepal South Earthquake was found most critical in terms of damages in the Kathmandu Valley. The study has revealed that up to 76% of the private buildings, and over 70% of the school, hospital, and government have high risks of being affected. Similarly, the damages to the existing bridges, telecommunications and other lifelines can also be severe. The human casualties for the nighttime occurrence scenario have been estimated over 35,000 and the injured around 140,000. The economic loss estimated is around 3 percent decrease in GDP.

Post Gorkha Earthquake, JICA has been extending its best support right

JICA’S COOPERATION IN EARTHQUAKE DISASTER RISK REDUCTIONUNDERSTANDING THE RISK AND STEP-UP TO DRR

from the rescue and relief to recovery and reconstruction through different cooperation schemes and various projects. Some of the flagship supports those are well grounded with the longer-term perspective of DRR are: (a) reconstruction of individual houses and schools based on the Build Back Better approach; (b) preparation of landslide hazard map for Gorkha and Sindhupalchok districts; (c) preparation of district rehabilitation and recovery plans for Gorkha and Sindhupalchowk districts; (d) preparation of Kathmandu Valley Resilience Plan, etc.

At this point, although the post-earthquake recovery activities are undergoing, JICA strongly believes that this is the right time to start visioning on ‘how to transit from the recovery to longer-run DRR’. This was the theme of the second anniversary seminar to commemorate the Gorkha Earthquake. The lesson from Japan is that Earthquake does not kill the people, but the vulnerable buildings and other infrastructures does. The study also suggests various interventions required for reducing the damage of buildings and the best options shows that around 30% reduction in building damage can be realized by 2030 if the lessons are learned and various interventions are made. JICA will be continuing its cooperation to Nepal to utilize the learning from Gorkha Earthquake in order to make disaster resilient Nepal, which Japan learned from its past disasters.

We cannot stop the Earthquake from occurring, but certainly we can reduce the risks! It is time to step up!

NEWSLETTER June 20174

Projects/Programs

Tokushima University, Japan in partnership with B.P Eye Foundation, Nepal have initiated a three year (May 2016 to May 2019) project “Strengthening Retina Eye Care Services in Nepal” covering three districts Kathmandu , Pokhara and Ramechhap. The project aims to improve the retinal eye care services and minimize retinal diseases by increasing the number of skilled eye medical and paramedical professionals through intensive training courses and organizing eye camps. The project is supported by JICA Nepal’s Partnership Program (JPP).

In regards to the same, Dr. Takeshi Naito from Tokushima University was here in Nepal to conduct training and workshop sessions (from 23rd April to 5th May, 2017) for ophthalmic doctors in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH). The session observed participation of nine doctors from different eye hospitals here in Nepal lead by Dr. Pratap Karki of BPKLCOS, TUTH. Dr. Karki had earlier attended a training session in Tokushima University. The participating doctors responded positively towards the training and workshop session as they experienced practical knowledge relevant to retina care and were exposed to advanced techniques in retina eye care service. They expressed their interest to apply the learning’s from the training for patients here in Nepal.

NURTURING EYE CARE SERVICE STRENGTHENING

EDUCATIONAL ENDEAVORS

The Government of Nepal (GoN) implemented the School Sector Reform Plan (SSRP) from 2009 to 2016 aiming at increasing access to and improving quality of school education. SSRP has placed particular emphasis on the provision of basic education for all children, especially for those from marginalized and disadvantaged groups. In accordance with the decentralization policy, the GoN has intended to delegate education planning and management responsibility to the local bodies and communities for school-based management based on local needs and environment with enhanced community participation. Under the SSRP, strengthening school management with empowerment of local communities has been one of the strategic priorities. From July 2016 onwards, Government of Nepal had started implementation of its successor program “School Sector Development Program (SSDP) to continue its efforts to ensure equitable access to quality education for all. Based on this seven year plan, an implementation program has been developed for the first five years (2016-2021).

JICA has supported such efforts of the Ministry of Education (MoE) in various ways including general grant aid (budget support) from 2014/15 in line with the SSRP & SSDP, and extending technical assistance for the Support for the Improvement of Primary School Management Phase 1 (SISM 1) from 2008 to 2011. After 3-year piloting in Dhading and Rasuwa districts, SISM 1 created “School Improvement Plan (SIP) Model” for improving school-based management including SIP formulation and implementation by capacity development of School Management Committee (SMC). After various good practices were reported from community schools during the SISM piloting, institutional strengthening and capacity development for improving school-

based management have been given higher priority, and various efforts have been made. As one of such efforts, the DoE developed the SIP Formulation Guidebook (BS 2069) with the support of JICA during the follow-up of SISM 1. Most of schools have prepared the SIP in piloting areas, but not fully implemented the planned activities because of lack of capacity, resource and linkage with the community, local government bodies, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders.

Under those circumstances, the GoN requested that the Government of Japan (GoJ) carry out a technical cooperation project to develop a mechanism of disseminating the SIP Model, and to strengthen the institutional capacity development at both central and district levels. Upon this request, JICA has started Project for the Support for the Improvement of Primary School Management Phase 2 (SISM 2) from June 2013 for targeting dissemination in 75 districts to complete additional activities that were planned after the earthquakes in April and May 2015. Terminal Evaluation Study was conducted in March 2017 as the Project ends from July 1, 2017. The Terminal Evaluation Study recommended for one more year extension, the GoN and JICA have been discussing for the extension for further supporting to conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) for staff at central and local levels, monitoring and follow-up on SIP process including revision of SIP formulation guidebook, developing medium-term action plan for SIP and School Grant Management Guideline (SGMG) so on.

JICA’s education program such as Grant Aid (budget support to SSDP), technical cooperation project (SISM 2) and JICA Education Advisor to DOE has been instrumental in making JICA support through different schemes to SSDP more consolidated and streamlined.

Dr. Naito observing medical examination in TUTH.

Dr. Naito with the Doctors in TUTH

Primary school students in Dadeldhura District.

June 2017 NEWSLETTER 5

Project News and Features

PILOT SURVEY OF ECONOMIC CENSUS

RECOVERY MEASURES FOR THE COLLAPSED SECTION OF THE SINDHULI ROAD

A strip of the BP Highway Sindhuli Road Section 3 caved in and fell into the Sunkoshi River disrupting vehicular movement on February 19, 2017.Following the incident, Department of Roads opened the diversion road immediately for traffic movement.

Similarly DOR also mobilized the Contractor from the second week of April to reconstruct the damaged part. The reconstruction is expected to be completed within Second week of July 2017. Similarly, JICA is supporting for the design and construction supervision by dispatching Japanese Engineers.

The BP Highway came into operation from March 2015 and was constructed under Grant assistance of Government of Japan and JICA.

Data Book on capacity assessment and benchmarking of the urban water supply system has been published by Sector Efficiency Improvement Unit (SEIU) of Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation (MWSS) in financial and technical support of JICA.

This Data Book contains the assessment of water supply systems in 26 towns managed by Nepal Water Supply Corporation (NWSC), Water Supply Management Boards (WSMB) and Kathmandu Valley Water Supply Management Board including Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KVWSMB/KUKL).

Urban Water Supply and Sanitation National Policy, (2009) states that Benchmarking and Monitoring of urban water supply system against predefined

indicators and service standard will be accorded a high priority at the national level. Hence, SEIU of MoWSS has taken continuous initiative to Benchmark the system and promote improvement plans.

After publishing the first benchmarking Data Book 2013-2014 and second Data Book 2014-2015, this publication is the third edition comprising performance scenario of large towns’ water supply systems. Ultimate objective of conducting benchmarking is to improve water supply service levels by comparing different systems, learning from best practice and provide initiatives for forerunner as such. The Data Book has come up with improvement plan of each water supply system with estimated cost. Government agencies, development partners, as well as water service providers themselves are the end-users of this Data Book.

WATER SERVICE PROVIDERS DATA BOOK PUBLISHED

JICA is implementing the “Project on Capacity Development for the Implementation of Economic Census 2018” with the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) from March 2016 for a period of 5 years. The project has the objective to enhance the capacity of Statistical Officials of Central Bureau of Statistics to conduct the Economic Census in 2018 and skills needed in other related statistical survey. It is expected that statistical results provided by CBS will be widely utilized for planning and implementing of policies, plan and strategies by government agencies, research institution and private sector. These integrated data will help to plan the private sector more accurately from in and outside the country to find business opportunities across the country.

For the preparation of the Economic Census 2018, CBS has implemented the Pilot Survey 2017 from April to May 2017. The pilot survey was implemented by the 33 statistical offices in 66 districts where they used e-census, Computer Assisted Personal Interview, Enumeration Area Map Database with satellite imagery. These new technologies will enhance the quality of the datas produced by the survey. The timing of the Pilot survey is exactly same as of Economic Survey 2018 which is also planned to be implement in May 2018. To implement the pilot survey, CBS gave training to 16 Directors to act as trainer, 31 Statistical officers and 79 Enumerators. Questionnaires were pretested before it was used for the Pilot Survey.

Government of Japan and Government of Nepal signed Bilateral Agreement regarding Project for Improvement of Water Supply in Pokhara amidst a function on 15 February 2017. According to the agreement Government of Japan is extending a grant assistance of up to 4.813 billion yen about NPR 4.529 billion for the implementation of the project which is the first water treatment plan to be constructed in Pokhara region.

On the same occasion, the Grant Agreement (GA) for the project was signed and exchanged between Mr. Baikuntha Aryal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Government of Nepal and Mr. Jun Sakuma, Chief Representative of JICA Nepal, on behalf of Japan International Cooperation Agency.

This project will install a water treatment plant and intake, transmission and distribution pipes as well as improving the current water supply facilities with the objectives of meeting the drinking

water quality standards of Nepal in terms of turbidity and chlorine content at the target water supply area, and supplying all target households with water seven days a week. At the same time, the project will reduce water leakage, adjust the water supply pressure, reduce the unaccounted water (non-revenue water) ratio and take other measures to increase the collection rate of water tariffs and improve the operation system. These measures are expected to improve the water supply services overall that are overseen in the target area by the Pokhara branch of the Nepal Water Supply Corporation.

The water treatment plant site is situated along Mardi River, while other distribution facility is installed across Pokhara sub-metropolitan city. Construction of the Project will be completed in 2022. The Project aims to enhance the conditions of living environment of Pokhara city residents and also contribute towards development of tourism industry there.

GRANT AGREEMENT FOR IMPROVEMENT OF WATER SUPPLY IN POKHARA

NEWSLETTER June 20176

JICA Training Program

Presented below are some of the feedbacks received from Training participants regarding their experience in Japan.

I had a wonderful experience during my visit to Japan. I found the cities of Japan very neat and clean. Japanese people were very cooperative, polite, well cultured and well disciplined. We also got the opportunity to witness some of the best infrastructures around the city.

The training program was very well organized. All resource persons were experienced, knowledgeable and dutiful. The ODA loan seminar was very relevant to me. I got opportunity to be familiar with contents like ODA loan approval process, disbursement procedure, role and responsibilities of loan consultant, Environment and Social Consideration, Project Evaluation and Monitoring system, Public Procurement under Japanese ODA Loan, FIDIC contract document. The schedule of seminar was appropriate for participants.

During field visit I got information about the reconstruction of Higashi Matsushima city, the temporary shelter and housing unit construction site. We got opportunity to interact with local people affected by Tsunami. The attitude of affected people to government was very positive. The role of local body (Municipality) found very crucial for post disaster recovery work. We visited Tohoku Region and got information about raised road. We found well awareness /preparedness against disaster and construction of disaster resilient structure, well evacuation plan, food security, quick reconstruction strategy, community participation in development, safety first principle.

My experience and learning from the visit seems very useful to improve my daily work related to ODA loan. I am utilizing the knowledge of procurement and disbursement procedure in ESRP (Emergency School Reconstruction Project).

Training and Dialogue Program are the fundamentals of JICA‘s Technical Cooperation activities through which human resource development is ensured from various fields such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, administration, transport etc. The selected participants are invited to Japan to further enhance their skill and capabilities through extensive training programs eventually promoting and contributing their efforts in the development of their respective nations. JICA organizes various types of courses every year and accepts nearly 3000 participants from about 150 countries.

This type of training provides first-hand experience regarding knowledge, organizational know-how and social systems of the Japanese society. In addition to providing unique knowledge, the technical cooperation stimulates people to draw inferences on their own, which is crucial element for human resource development along with other assistance schemes.

The areas of cooperation include governance, public work, agriculture, industrial and commercial, health & welfare, energy, education etc. The participants include government officials, members of constitutional bodies and Constituent Assembly members, media and NGOs.

JICA ODA TRAINEE PROGRAM

MR. IMA NARAYAN SHRESTHAProject Director (Joint Secretary)Central Level Project Implementation Unit (CL-PIU)School and Educational Institution Building Reconstruction Project

MR. PREM GHIMIRENational Reconstruction Authority

14 GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PARTICIPATED IN THE 8 DAYS TRAINING ON ODA SEMINAR (DEC 2016)` The ODA Loan Seminar in JICA Tokyo Centre

provided me an opportunity to visit Tokyo and Sendai Higashi Matsushima Municipality. I also got to briefly interact with the Nobiru Community which was mostly destroyed by the Tsunami caused by the earthquake in 2011. Most of the participants for the seminar are engaged in reconstruction of the infrastructures destroyed from the Nepal earthquake 2015.

Having heard so much about Japan’s development I was very much eager to observe the city’s infrastructures such as roads, high rise commercial buildings, and well-structured residential areas, underground and overhead metro railways. The sight itself was very fascinating and made me wonder about having such infrastructures in my own country. Another interesting observation was absence of boundary walls which I believe was to ease the vehicular movement and also to prevent accidents during Earthquakes.

The reconstruction and rehabilitation works at the Higashi Matsushima City caught our attention. We got to see planned resettlement areas and houses build by the government for those people who are not able to build their house themselves. The discussion with the community people in Nobiru Community Centre gave us an idea how the local and government together can tackle the situation in the most effective way.

Topics in the seminar consisted of Reimbursement-disbursement-advance-commitment process, loan agreement process, provision of the ODA Loan, conditions and modality of ODA, projects selection and consulting services in projects and monitoring and evaluation system .The subject matters covered in the seminar were very relevant and can be well contributed to the planning and budgeting works in reconstruction and resettlement process in National Reconstruction Authority.

June 2017 NEWSLETTER 7

JICA Training Program

15 GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PARTICIPATED IN THE 16 DAYS TRAINING ON KNOWLEDGE CO-CREATION PROGRAM FOR YOUNG LEADERS OF NEPAL-REGIONAL REVITALIZATION IN DISASTER PRONE AREA (NOV 2016).

SECRET TO SUCCESS: LEARNING BY DOING.JICA Nepal office organized a training program aimed at Young Leaders in accordance to the decision made by Japanese cabinet on Feb 2015 regarding International Technical Assistance (TA) for mutual exchange of learning among developing countries and Japan. The training course was on Disaster Revitalization of Disaster Prone

Areas and was conducted in Japan from 15 October to 17 November 2016.The whole program was beneficial in terms of understanding the development process and various aspects which are now an integrated form of Japanese culture, appreciated globally. Japan has achieved tremendous success both technically and economically and it now aspires to share the knowledge, skill and experience with other developing countries. As an outcome of which, Tokyo International Center (TIC) as well as other province level learning centers are acting as an Open University learning grounds for the world.

Japan has more than 6800 sea-islands however it lacks enough natural resources and raw materials for massive industrial development. Also, Japan suffered major setbacks during Second World War and it still possess threats from frequent earthquakes, tsunami and volcano due to which national economy is affected in some way or the other. However, Japan has succeeded to survive all the odds and thrives to excel overcoming all the hardships and has managed to enlist itself amongst the world’s top economic nations. Referring to this example I often question myself what is holding us Nepalese and Nepal? On the foresight I expected the answer in the training program, since it touched upon issues regarding disaster management.

Major earthquake hit east Japan on 11 March 2011 with 40m high sea tides which adversely damaged innumerable human lives and property. The reconstruction, rehabilitation and new construction were immediately underway post the incident. Human resources were then allocated at every stage of disaster cycle with appropriate authority and responsibility. Central, provincial, local and community level institutional set up, legal framework and co-ordination among the stakeholder were also imposed immediately setting up effective outcomes for each. Meanwhile, community level disaster management and school based disaster

education were observed as a milestone for disaster management steps. Schools were considered as a hub for disaster learning and also utilized as shelters during disaster which I consider was a remarkable move during the trying times. Integrated Resettlement (IS) in the affected areas was also an outstanding effort related to rehabilitation. Sports stadium for the upcoming Rugby World Cup and Study Centers for disaster preparedness and mitigation is currently being built in the location where most people lost their lives during the earthquake. The construction is expected to boost not only the tourism sector there but also the revenue earned from both the projects will contribute towards the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected areas. This to me seemed like a fantastic idea not only for collecting reconstruction cost but it also established new platforms for promotion of sport based tourism and disaster learning centers.

Real time monitoring of disaster prone area are established by live updates of images, audio, video and well managed inter-agencies co-ordination with fully secured control system. Every infrastructure development are planned considering disaster. Search, rescue, relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation were managed very systematically. Besides disaster management, good governance is also taken care of by applying the concept of Modern principle of Management like, e-governance, clean development mechanism (CDM), Zero tolerance, round table public services, zero energy, zero waste, result-oriented planning etc. Observing, zero external energy operated Biomass plant and Zero waste recycle plant can be taken as an exemplary work.

The three pillars of Japan’s sustainable development, economic, social and environment were further strengthened by planned development, quality and timely completion of construction as well as public services. Use of robotic technology and promotion of Sensor Controlled System (SCS) not only helped in operating cost reduction but also increasing the value on government service effectively and efficiently. Use of modern principle of Open Economic policy to export high-technology and making robust national economy was also observed during the program.

The key learning’s during my trip to Japan were highly inspiring and a wonderful opportunity to transform challenges into opportunities. Now, I am utilizing my knowledge, skills and experience for disseminating awareness in my community, to students and other stakeholder through discussion, presentation, media mobilization, and writing or by disaster based development planning as well as construction of disaster shelter.

Lastly I would like to mention some alarming issues in Japan that need some corrective measures, based on the observations made during my trip. Decreasing birth rate and increasing elderly age of the total population seem to affect in the national revenue as the trend of decreasing and increasing social security fund seems unusual. Besides, the demanding work culture and unfamiliarity with foreign language are some areas which need to be taken care of.

ER. HARI PRASAD SHARMASenior Divisional EngineerMinistry of Federal Affair and Local Development

NEWSLETTER June 20178

News in Brief

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COMPLETION OF THE REHABILITATION WORK OF ELEVATED TANK IN DHULABARI WUSC

Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Mr. Jun Sakuma handed over the rehabilitated elevated tank of Dhulabari, Jhapa District to Department of Water Supply and Sewerage (DWSS), Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation, Government of Nepal amidst a formal ceremony on 10 February 2017. Mr. Deepak Khadka, State Minister, Ministry of Water Supply and Sanitation, Mr. Tej Raj Bhatta, Director General, DWSS, Mr. Makoto Oyama, First Secretary from Embassy of Japan were among few main dignitaries of the program.

The Elevated Tank with capacity of 450 m was originally constructed under Grant Assistance of Japanese ODA in 2007. The tank was a part of other water supply facilities under grant assistance.

The tank was severely damaged during the Great Earthquake which occurred in April 2015. The daily water supply was then affected causing limited and unstable supplies post the breakage. Upon request from Government of Nepal, JICA supported rehabilitation work of elevated tank under “Follow Up Cooperation of the Project for the Improvement of Water Supply Facilities in Urban and Semi-urban Centres” with an amount of NPR 71,472,712.

As material for the tank, stainless panel was introduced for the first time in Nepal. Stainless tank has the advantage of toughness and it is maintenance-free. The rehabilitation work now shows radical improvement in the daily water supplies making lives easier for the locals in Dhulabari.

JICA’s cooperation to Dhulabari WUSC also includes Technical cooperation project WASMIP 2010-2013 (Water Supply Management Improvement Project), initiated to strengthen the capacity of Dhulabari WUSC staffs. Through WASMIP 1st phase project, the Non-Revenue Water ratio of Dhulabari improved drastically from 35% to 22%. The second phase of WASMIP began last year and Dhulabari WUSC is one of the targeted WUSCs for strengthening the water supply services.

During the event Mr. Sakuma further reiterated that, “As a leading development partner in water supply sector, JICA will further strengthen its cooperation to improve water supply conditions in other parts of Nepal as well.”

The elevated water tank in Dhulabari, Jhapa.

From left to right: Mr. Keiichi Hashimoto, Senior advisor JICA.Mr. Jun Sakuma, Chief Representative, JICA Nepal Office.Honorable Chief Election Commissioner Dr. Ayodhee Prasad Yadav.Mr. Chiranjibi Khanal, Chief of the TU Central Department of Journalism.Mr. Tosiyuki Sato, General Secretary of the Public Broadcasting Organization of Japan.Mr. Koto Harada, Chairman of NHK International, Japan

JICA Nepal in collaboration with Central Department of Journalism and Mass Communications of the Tribhuvan University jointly organized a seminar titled ‘How elections should be covered in a Democratic Country’ in Kathmandu, Sindhuli District and Janakpur, where Media educators and scholars of Nepal and Japan highlighted the need for free, fair and impartial media coverage before, during and after the polls. The event was held in February 2017.

At the event , Dr. Keiichi Hashimoto, Senior Advisor to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), highlighted that biased media coverage could lead towards election violence; and shared to adopt a strict election code of ethics as well as media self-regulation practices so as to discourage such incidences. He further stressed on the idea of fair and neutral role of media and how media must refrain from political influences during its course of work in order to broadcast authentic and independent news. Similarly, Mr. Takao Kobayashi, Programme Producer from NHK Television Japan, shared his views about how media covered the election process in Japan and its relevance in the Nepali context. Mr. Kobayashi Informed that Japanese media, including the NHK, prohibited appearances of prospective candidates in their coverage and that NHK had a specific code of conduct for journalists covering elections and suggested that it would be pertinent for Nepali media as well.

Addressing the event, JICA Chief Representative to Nepal, Mr. Jun Sakuma opined that media had an important role in disseminating accurate information during the election process so as to help people make right choices. Chief of the TU Central Department of Journalism, Prof. Chiranjibi Khanal underlined the need for the journalists to work in an impartial manner while covering the election.

Consecutively JICA also held a seminar ‘Dissemination of Balanced News in the Forthcoming Local Level Election and Importance of News’ in Kathmandu on 21 April 2017, just few days ahead of the local level elections in Nepal.

Chief Election Commissioner Hon. Dr. Ayodhee Prasad Yadav as the Chief Guest of the event urged the media to take up the responsibility of a watchdog to help conduct the local level elections in a free, fair and fear-free manner. Dr. Yadav further advised media to disseminate balanced and objective news. He described the local level election as a historic one from the viewpoint of gender equality at the local level as per the constitution. Dr. Yadav said he has found that the media has been together with the voters in the election mega campaign that is intensifying in the villages and localities in a positive way.

During the event, General Secretary of the Public Broadcasting Organization of Japan, Mr. Tosiyuki Sato stressed that the media should pay special attention to maintaining balance while covering the election. Japanese public sector media NHK presented their methods and strategies to cover the elections fairly alongside Nepalese media who also presented their experience of media coverage during the time of elections.

In addition, Focus Group Discussion was also held in the presence of editors and the authorities of major media outlets and Japanese experts and teachers/professors from Tribhuwan University. A wide range of issues relating to election coverage techniques and policy of media Houses were interacted and discussed.

Participants benefitted from the exposure of works and presentations of the experts. They underscored the need for continuing similar type of skill enhancing programmes so that media practices could be improved for fulfilling the people’s right to be informed and help in the democratization of the society by promoting democratic practices during elections. The audience comprised of participants from all major and leading media (TV, Radio, Online and Print) in Nepal. JICA has been continuously providing support in enhancing the capacity of the media houses and journalists of Nepal.

ENSURING MEDIA SECTOR’S SIGNIFICANCE AND NEUTRALITY DURING THE ELECTIONS

JAPAN INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY NEPAL OFFICE Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal - 450, Kathmandu, Nepal ( +977-1-4425636 7 +977-1-4425658 8 www.jica.go.jp/nepal/english www.facebook.com/jicanepal