Reconstruction agency chief to speak at Hong Kong forum

KATHMANDU, Aug 20:

The newly appointed head of reconstruction agency will deliver keynote address at the opening plenary at the fifth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in Hong Kong on September 3.

Govind Raj Pokharel was recently appointed CEO of National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to lead rebuilding and rehabilitation, following devastating earthquakes in April and May. He is also the vice chairman of the National Planning Commission which oversees country's development plans.

Focusing on the urgent rebuilding need in Nepal, he will address delegates from around the world at the Housing Forum.

"Nepal is facing many challenges as we strive to recover from major earthquakes earlier this year," said Pokharel. "Sound housing policies and improved construction methods will be an important part of the recovery process," he said, adding that he is looking forward to speaking at the Asia-Pacific Housing Forum in Hong Kong on Nepal's plans to rebuild and on the way forward.

The Housing Forum is organized by Habitat for Humanity which recently received a HK$ 3.5 million grant (approx. US$ 450,000) from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government's disaster relief fund to support families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the earthquakes in Nepal.

Combined with funding from other donors, Habitat's earthquake recovery programs include the distribution of temporary shelter kits, earthquake rubble removal, construction of permanent houses, and safety assessments of damaged homes. The aim is to help tens of thousands of affected families.

The Asia-Pacific Housing Forum is the region's leading event for advocating for affordable housing solutions and decent shelter for low-income families. The event takes place every two years, gathering together major actors engaged in developing and delivering sustainable solutions for poverty housing issues.

Under the theme 'Building Impact', this year's forum expects to engage over 1,000 leaders and experts in the field of affordable housing, ranging from policy-makers, entrepreneurs, private sector businesses, academics to civil society players.

Asia-Pacific Housing Forum is a biennial conference organized by Habitat for Humanity. In 2015, the Housing Forum's fifth iteration, the main event will be held from September 1-4 in Hong Kong. It will bring together all actors engaged in seeking solutions to affordable housing issues that make business and economic sense.

Source: Republica