Nepal is facing a massive rebuilding challenge after devastating floods that have destroyed homes, damaged infrastructure and displaced thousands of people. Authorities estimate that about 20,000 homes will need to be rebuilt, while the search continues for people who remain missing.
But Nepal's recovery should not simply be about replacing everything that was lost. The bigger question is whether the country will use this disaster as an opportunity to build safer and more resilient communities.
Rebuilding Should Not Mean Repeating the Same Mistakes
Some of the areas hit hardest by the floods may no longer be safe places for people to rebuild. Houses, roads, schools and other infrastructure have been swept away or buried under mud and debris.
Rebuilding in exactly the same locations could leave families exposed to the same risks in the future. Moving communities away from dangerous areas will be difficult because people's homes, farms, businesses and social networks are tied to where they live.
Still, safety should come first. A new house is not a real solution if it is built in a location that could be destroyed by the next major flood.
Children Need Stability Too
The disaster has also disrupted the lives of thousands of children. Access to clean water, sanitation and education must therefore remain a priority during the recovery.
Schools are more than buildings. They provide children with routine and stability at a time when their families may have lost homes, income and possessions.
Temporary learning facilities may be necessary in the short term, but rebuilding schools should be part of the wider recovery plan.
A Warning for the Region
Nepal's experience is also a warning to other countries across the Himalayas and beyond. Extreme weather can quickly destroy roads, settlements and essential infrastructure, leaving governments with enormous reconstruction bills.
Climate change makes this challenge even more serious. Countries that are already vulnerable to floods, landslides and other natural disasters cannot afford to treat disaster preparedness as an afterthought.
Better early-warning systems, stronger infrastructure and careful planning of settlements can save lives and reduce the cost of future disasters.
Rebuild Better, Not Just Faster
The immediate priority for Nepal is clear: find those who are still missing, protect survivors and provide families with the basic necessities they need.
But once the emergency phase passes, the country will face another important decision.
Nepal should not aim simply to return to the way things were before the floods. It should aim to build communities that are safer, stronger and better prepared for the next disaster.
The loss caused by the floods cannot be undone. But the rebuilding process can help ensure that the next disaster does not cause the same level of destruction.