» Earthquake-Resilient Homes

Protecting Gurkha veterans and widows from the elements

Situated in one of the most seismically active areas on Earth, Nepal is at risk of a severe earthquake at any time. The Gurkha Welfare Trust builds strong, earthquake-resilient homes for Gurkha veterans and widows, which will withstand the tremors, monsoon rains, and landslides that strike Nepal.

In the immediate aftermath of the 2015 earthquake, GWT swiftly responded by forming a dedicated Earthquake Response Team and building a thousand houses for homeless veterans. These first homes were built to provide immediate safe shelter, consisting of two rooms without kitchen or toilet facilities. After launching a new project to fund 100 homes per year we improved the design with one to two bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

Building the homes

Step 1 – Foundations

Step 2 – Walls

Step 3 – Roof

The foundation trenches are 3 feet wide by 2.5 feet deep. Stones are compacted into the ground to provide a solid base for the walls and to prevent seepage of moisture from beneath.

The plinth band is the support base for the main structure.

Often, a “Puja” ceremony is held to “bless” the first foundation stone, for long term good fortune.

The walls are built of brick or stone, depending on the geographical location of the property and local availability of materials.

The walls are strengthened with reinforced concrete bands laid horizontally. This binds the walls together and at the same time shares the load above.

Steel rods with T bars are used in each corner for reinforced support.

The roof band and the gable band bind the main walls together and prevent the gable wall from separating from the building.

A roof truss spreads the load to increase the strength of the roof section. Tie beams going across strengthen the walls.

The roof is made of corrugated iron (CGI) sheets which are relatively light and weatherproof.

Play Video