Bhajani municipality to build safe houses for underprivileged families

Dhangadhi: Kailali’s Bhajani Municipality has announced plans to construct safe high-rise houses for underprivileged families, providing much-needed relief to those affected by floods and inundations every year.

A total of 45 houses will be built across Wards 1 and 8, with 25 houses in Ward 1 and 20 in Ward 8. Families living in flood-prone areas have expressed their happiness over the initiative, as these new houses will provide them with security and stability.

Sushila Pandey, a resident of Ward 8, shared her relief, stating, "During the rainy season, I have to live on the postal road for nearly two months. When the floodwaters recede, my mud house is barely livable after extensive repairs. With these new houses, I will finally feel safe."

Similarly, Sharda Kumari Sunar, another resident, is optimistic about the future. "We have been living in a mud house for years, always fearful of floods washing away our food and belongings. Now, my family can finally sleep peacefully, knowing we are safe," she said.

The project is being supported by Habitat for Humanity Nepal, which will provide financial aid, while National Dalit Network Nepal will offer technical assistance. Bhajani Municipality will contribute Rs. 300,000 per house, while the supporting organization will cover Rs. 250,000, leaving beneficiary families to bear Rs. 165,000 of the total cost.

For the 20 houses being built in Ward 8, the supporting organization will cover Rs. 265,000 per house, according to Chakra Bahadur Agri, Program Coordinator of National Dalit Network Nepal. The houses will include two rooms, a veranda, and a toilet, with an additional kitchen in the homes being built in Ward 1.

“We have already constructed and handed over 26 safe houses in Bhajani in coordination with the municipality,” Agri stated. “An agreement has been signed for the construction of an additional 45 houses in the current fiscal year, all of which should be completed by Asad 20.”

According to Mayor Kewal Chaudhary, Bhajani Municipality is prioritizing flood-affected families, freed Kamaiyas, poor Dalits, and single women for housing assistance within the constraints of available resources. “Despite our limited resources, we are working with local and non-governmental organizations to ensure disadvantaged citizens feel the presence of a responsive government,” he emphasized.

The National Dalit Network Nepal has already coordinated the construction of over 100 houses in Kailali alone. 169 houses have been built for disadvantaged families across Kailali and Kanchanpur, including 27 in Kailari Rural Municipality, 22 in Ghodaghodi Municipality, and 12 in Bardagoria Rural Municipality.