Let's hope more powerful and wealthy people will join Jack Ma and Binod Chaudhary in the efforts of rebuilding Nepal after the devastating earthquake that hit Nepal. What Nepal needs is construction of building that can be modelled after Japan's. Although in Japan's hard hit earthquake's magnitude of more than 8.1 Ms, her buildings remain intact and undamaged and hence her people are not hurt or harmed. Nepal should learn from Japan in its rebuilding to avoid vast destruction.Alibaba's Jack Ma Joins Nepali Billionaire Binod Chaudhary's Rebuilding Efforts In Quake-Hit Nepal
Two weeks after a devastating earthquake killed thousands of people and left widespread destruction in its wake, Binod Chaudhary, Nepal’s only billionaire, says his focus is now on helping to rebuild his quake-ravaged country. Through his charitable arm, the Chaudhary Foundation, the billionaire is contributing $2.5 million in efforts to reconstruct 100 schools and 10,000 houses. The Foundation will pay the cost of 1,000 homes and raise money from other wealthy donors for the remaining 9,000 units.
Fellow billionaires from around the region have already started lending a helping hand. Jack Ma’s Alibaba Foundation has agreed to fund 1,000 homes and will be sending a team of 10 executives to Nepal, reports Chaudhary. The Indorama Foundation, the charitable arm of Indian-born Indonesian plastics tycoon Sri Prakash Lohia, has pledged funds for 1,000 homes.
These commitments reflect the “tremendous goodwill and sympathy for Nepal, ” says Chaudhary, who’s currently in Sri Lanka on a business trip. For example, Alibaba’s Ma, whom Chaudhary met a year ago, was quick to respond to his request for help. So too his friend Lohia.
The houses to be constructed are expected to cost $750 each and are being designed by Seeds India, an Indian non-profit, which has done similar work in northern India and Habitat for Humanity, which already operates in Nepal. PwC Foundation is the overall coordinator of the program.
Chaudhary’s son Nirvan who’s helping his father in the group’s relief operations, says that work is underway on a war footing as the monsoons are imminent. “ The rains will pose a logistical nightmare, especially in remote areas,” he notes.
Another problem the group faces is finding construction workers for this rebuilding effort as the earthquake has led to an exodus of people. For now, says Nirvan, they want to ensure that the design of the house is appropriate and practical. He expects this to be ready as early as next week.
While Chaudhary says that business is slowly coming back to some semblance of normalcy, some people have still not reported back to work. “ There’s a feeling of insecurity hovering over us. Life has been full of challenges.”
http://www.forbes.com/sites/naazneenkarmali/2015/05/08/alibabas-jack-ma-joins-nepali-billionaire-binod-chaudharys-rebuilding-efforts-in-quake-hit-nepal/
