A boy works on the roof frame of a building next to the quake-damaged Bhairavi temple in the historic village of Nuwakot, Nepal, a year after the devastating April 2015 earthquake. Photos: Tessa Chan
A boy works on the roof frame of a building next to the quake-damaged Bhairavi temple in the historic village of Nuwakot, Nepal, a year after the devastating April 2015 earthquake. Photos: Tessa Chan
A man crosses a suspension bridge over the Indrawati River, Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk. Though Nepal is one of the world's riches sources of fresh water, damaged pipes and poor infrastructure makes water supply and sanitation a problem for many.
A man crosses a suspension bridge over the Indrawati River, Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk. Though Nepal is one of the world's riches sources of fresh water, damaged pipes and poor infrastructure makes water supply and sanitation a problem for many.
The damaged 18th century palace complex in Nuwakot, Nepal. Locals have heard that the both the Chinese and Indian governments may be interested in investing in the complex.
The damaged 18th century palace complex in Nuwakot, Nepal. Locals have heard that the both the Chinese and Indian governments may be interested in investing in the complex.
A beneficiary of the All Hands Volunteers safe shelter housing programme in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk poses in front of his new home.
A beneficiary of the All Hands Volunteers safe shelter housing programme in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk poses in front of his new home.
A boy sits by a 400-year-old sacred Bodhi tree in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. The tree, said to give 10 per cent more oxygen than normal trees, survived last year’s earthquake. The top floor of the temple next to it toppled into the valley below.
A boy sits by a 400-year-old sacred Bodhi tree in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. The tree, said to give 10 per cent more oxygen than normal trees, survived last year’s earthquake. The top floor of the temple next to it toppled into the valley below.
Volunteers rebuild Kathmandu’s ancient Boudhanath Stupa, which was badly damaged in the April 2015 earthquake.
Volunteers rebuild Kathmandu’s ancient Boudhanath Stupa, which was badly damaged in the April 2015 earthquake.
Nepal earthquake 2015
Culture

A year after deadly earthquake, impatient Nepalis take rebuilding into their own hands

Government progress on restoring 500,000-plus damaged buildings and providing safe homes has been painfully slow. Survivors have tired of waiting and have begun work, helped by NGOs

Tessa Chan
Tessa Chan

Updated: 1:21pm, 10 Oct, 2017

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A boy works on the roof frame of a building next to the quake-damaged Bhairavi temple in the historic village of Nuwakot, Nepal, a year after the devastating April 2015 earthquake. Photos: Tessa Chan
A boy works on the roof frame of a building next to the quake-damaged Bhairavi temple in the historic village of Nuwakot, Nepal, a year after the devastating April 2015 earthquake. Photos: Tessa Chan
A man crosses a suspension bridge over the Indrawati River, Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk. Though Nepal is one of the world's riches sources of fresh water, damaged pipes and poor infrastructure makes water supply and sanitation a problem for many.
A man crosses a suspension bridge over the Indrawati River, Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk. Though Nepal is one of the world's riches sources of fresh water, damaged pipes and poor infrastructure makes water supply and sanitation a problem for many.
The damaged 18th century palace complex in Nuwakot, Nepal. Locals have heard that the both the Chinese and Indian governments may be interested in investing in the complex.
The damaged 18th century palace complex in Nuwakot, Nepal. Locals have heard that the both the Chinese and Indian governments may be interested in investing in the complex.
A beneficiary of the All Hands Volunteers safe shelter housing programme in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk poses in front of his new home.
A beneficiary of the All Hands Volunteers safe shelter housing programme in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk poses in front of his new home.
A boy sits by a 400-year-old sacred Bodhi tree in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. The tree, said to give 10 per cent more oxygen than normal trees, survived last year’s earthquake. The top floor of the temple next to it toppled into the valley below.
A boy sits by a 400-year-old sacred Bodhi tree in Melamchi, Sindhupalchowk, Nepal. The tree, said to give 10 per cent more oxygen than normal trees, survived last year’s earthquake. The top floor of the temple next to it toppled into the valley below.
Volunteers rebuild Kathmandu’s ancient Boudhanath Stupa, which was badly damaged in the April 2015 earthquake.
Volunteers rebuild Kathmandu’s ancient Boudhanath Stupa, which was badly damaged in the April 2015 earthquake.
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