Kiwi engineers to help Nepal rebuild

The quakes caused severe damage in the city of Kathmandu. Photo: Retuers
The quakes caused severe damage in the city of Kathmandu. Photo: Retuers

A team of New Zealand earthquake engineers has been sent to Nepal to assist with its earthquake rebuild - costing the Government $1 million.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand had sent a team of 15  to Nepal to assist with the rebuild following a 7.8-magnitude quake on April 25 this year which killed more than 8000 people and left thousands more homeless  in and around the Kathmandu Valley.

Another powerful  quake measuring 7.3 occurred in May, bringing down buildings weakened by the first disaster and killing at least 66 people, including 17 in neighbouring India and one in Chinese Tibet. 

"The specialist engineers departed for Nepal this week and will remain there until November," Mr McCully said.

"They will provide Nepal's Government with technical support in seismic assessment, design of repair and retro-fit solutions, barricading, shoring, temporary works, deconstruction and demolition.

"New Zealanders feel a close connection to Nepal and our on-going support for the rebuild reflects this."

The million dollar deployment adds to the $2 million New Zealand provided in the immediate aftermath of the quakes, which included a smaller deployment of engineers.

 

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