Evaluation of a Disaster Rebuilding Organization in Kathmandu, Nepal
CLIENT
Lumanti Support Group for Shelter
PROJECT TYPE
Program Evaluation
PROJECT YEAR
2019-2020
ABOUT THE CLIENT
Lumanti Support Group for Shelter is an NGO that conducted reconstruction work in Kathmandu Valley following the devastating Gorkha earthquakes in 2015.
Established in 1993, the organization is solely organized and operated by Nepalese staff. Lumanti’s mission is to eradicate urban poverty in Nepal through an integrated approach to improving shelter conditions.
The programs historically facilitated by Lumanti in these areas include WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs, disaster resilience, and housing.
GETTING STARTED
In seeking a client for my master's thesis research, I began to reach out to various disaster organizations, from the non-profit to the governmental levels to inquire as to their research needs. Though there was some general interest, the organizations or potential projects did not quite mesh. I began to speak with faculty in the applied anthropology department to utilize existing networks. Through networking with a geographer based in Kathmandu, I learned about ongoing disaster recovery efforts in Nepal. I had previously heard of the earthquakes in Nepal in 2015, and my curiosity was piqued. I fortunate to connect with manager of the Disaster Risk Reduction program at Lumanti Support Group for Shelter. We initially connected via email, then via Skype and phone calls. During these meetings, we identified a need for an evaluation of Lumanti’s earthquake reconstruction program. Lumanti provided background on the program and emailed additional information as needed.
During this phase of the project, I began to collect information on the earthquakes and the impacts in Kathmandu Valley, the primary location in which Lumanti implemented their reconstruction program. Along with the information pr, as well as the background research, I was able to put a research plan.
PROCESS
As an affiliated investigator, I began the program research by delving into the operational and staffing structure of Lumanti and how they communicated with their field offices, with other organizations like the government, and with Lumanti’s community partners in the settlements of Macchegaon, Siddhipur and Thecho.
I also investigated Lumanti’s operations within those settlements and evaluated each step of the process within those communities. These included the establishment of relationships both within and outside of those communities, the permitting and reconstruction process, and the completion of projects and Lumanti’s subsequent withdrawal from reconstruction activities in those communities.
METHODS
Interviews
Participant Observation
Document analysis
Network analysis
I chose semi-structured interviews as they provide a sizeable scope for topic repetition throughout the interviews, as well as allow for more in-depth responses from the interviewees.
I elected to use participant observation because, in addition to document analysis and interviews, it provides the opportunity to see firsthand and take part in the actual processes of the reconstruction program. Because the reconstruction program had already been completed, participant observation consisted of working daily at Lumanti and interacting with and observing Lumanti staff, particularly the staffing structure and how they communicate.
INTERVIEWS
The interview questions were constructed by focusing on several topics that Lumanti and myself wished to delve more into. For beneficiaries, the first questions addressed the experiences of the interviewee throughout the earthquake event and their experiences in the years following. These questions related to how they funded reconstruction, what resources they used, and the status of the rebuilding of their home. Other questions related to their relationship with Lumanti, including how they connected with the organization, the services they were provided, and any recommendations they have for improving the program. For staff members of Lumanti and members of the women’s cooperatives, the questions focused on the structure and processes of the reconstruction program, their own experiences in facilitating those processes, and how they collaborated with other stakeholders.
The interview component consisted of 26 semi-structured interviews with beneficiaries of the reconstruction program (11) and staff members of Lumanti that worked in the reconstruction program (8). Also encompassed were members of women’s cooperatives and users’ groups/committees (6), and one local politician that Lumanti worked with throughout reconstruction
ANALYSIS
All interviews were transcribed and analyzed for emergent themes. Interview data was uploaded into MAXQDA. From there, data was coded and analyzed for themes. Drawing on the data obtained from document analysis, interviews, and participant observation, I then connected the information gathered to develop a more cohesive picture of the reconstruction program’s processes.
RESULTS
Lumanti challenged governmental policies and developed strategies to work around and through the different levels of government to get beneficiaries approved for reconstruction. The challenge of government was reflected in Lumanti’s methods for working with and around governmental policies and regulations at various levels. The organization would often work directly with government officials at the local level to gain approvals for reconstruction that contradicted policies set in place by the National Reconstruction Authority.
The women’s cooperatives, essential partners of Lumanti, played a key role in this resistance by challenging the traditional male order and by contributing significantly to reconstruction - both how reconstruction was and is enacted in the community, and who were recommended as beneficiaries.
Of each of the four communities in which Lumanti worked, the project in Chitlang arguably faced the most challenges. These challenges can be attributed to the lack of established relationships with the community. Lumanti faced resistance from the local government, local organizations, and the residents themselves. Trust is a key element in the acceptance of any organization by the community. Without the approval of local entities and residents of Chitlang, forward momentum in Lumanti’s reconstruction program was exceedingly difficult.
LEARNINGS
When communicating from different countries, it can occasionally be difficult to transmit and receive all the necessary information. Through some form of miscommunication, I discovered when I arrived in Nepal (in June 2019) that Lumanti Support Group for Shelter’s reconstruction program had been completed in January 2019. In our communications and research plan, I had stated that I would conduct participant observation of ongoing reconstruction efforts through the program. However, because the program had already ended, I was unable to incorporate participant observation in that form as part of my thesis research. As a result, I was limited to conducting participant observation at the office, observing staffing structure and how the staff communicated with each other.
June through September is monsoon season in Nepal. This means rain and flooding is common in the area. In addition, landslides are also more prevalent during this time period, making travel to other areas difficult. As such, interviews and field visits were often postponed. In addition, rice planting season coincides with the rainy season. Rainy days are an optimum time for harvesting rice. As many of Lumanti’s beneficiaries depend on agriculture for subsistence and their livelihood, some interviews and field visits were often postponed for this reason as well. Conducting this research required great flexibility and adaptability in response to challenges that were beyond the researcher’s control.
Finally, I recognize that my interviewees are either beneficiaries of the reconstruction project, members of Lumanti staff, or members of partner organizations. As such, it is to be expected that many of these individuals would not necessarily be critical of the program or have an “outsider’s” perspective of project. While time was a limitation, if I were to do this project again, I would also interview members of the government to gain a more cohesive picture of Lumanti’s operations, particularly from more critical perspectives.
IMPACT
The deliverables for the project were comprised of two parts. The first was a report for Lumanti on the history of the reconstruction program and its metrics. The purpose of this report was to provide an internal account of the work and the impact of the program.
I prepared recommendations for possible improvement and additions to the Lumanti’s reconstruction program if the need to implement such a program were to again arise. These recommendations arose from the data collection process consisting of documentation review, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation.