Nepal to mobilise over 1,300 engineers to rebuild houses

Nepal is set to mobilise over 1,300 engineers this week as part of the post-quake reconstruction campaign, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli said on Wednesday.

"We are entering into reconstruction but the nation cannot be rebuilt until people and leaders are fully determined. I am hopeful that the engineers will work with honesty to rebuild the quake-resistant houses," Xinhua news agency quoted Oli as saying.

He said a large number of volunteers will be called in the 14 affected districts to assist the engineers.

More than half a million houses were damaged in a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake in April last year. The international community has pledged $4.1 billion in financial aid to quake-ravaged Nepal.

The engineers and architects, who are selected on the basis of merit and interview, will remain in their designated area for two years. They will begin the task in the affected districts from this weekend.

--IANS

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