Political Economy Analysis of Post-Earthquake Reconstruction in Nepal

Post-earthquake reconstruction has remained in peril for a considerable period with three major bottlenecks. First, the government not only was completely unprepared to handle the massive disaster but also was unable to demonstrate leadership in problem-solving. Political maneuvering was apparent from the very beginning as manifested in the formation of the National Reconstruction Authority, with disagreements in the appointment owing to differing political interests which led to delays in service delivery. Second, people did not have a legitimate political institution to hear and echo their voice as local governments were almost dysfunctional in absence of elected local representatives for nearly two decades.