A powerful earthquake that struck northwest of Kathmandu on Saturday April 25 caused enormous suffering and devastation. The 7.8-magnitude quake destroyed buildings in Kathmandu and severely affected rural areas across the region. The orphanage’s raft foundation and its double exoskeleton frame of 300mm reinforced concrete were designed to be resilient in this earthquake-prone region. The partially-completed Lali Gurans orphanage in Gagalphedi, around 10 kilometers from Kathmandu, is providing a seismically-stable location with toilets, water and living area for 20-30 local people who have been displaced from their homes.

Kishor Lohani, Director of NGO “Prakriti Ko Ghar” (PKG), the local organization which will later be in charge of the orphanage, explained that the partially-completed structure was currently providing a temporary shelter following the earthquake. “The earthquake that struck northwest of Kathmandu caused enormous suffering and devastation. The orphanage’s raft foundation and its double exoskeleton frame of 300mm reinforced concrete were designed to be resilient in this earthquake-prone region. The partially-completed Lali Gurans orphanage presently provides a seismically-stable location with toilets, water and living area for 20-30 local residents who have been displaced from their homes,” he said.