Rebuilding resilience in Nepal

The Anandaban Trauma Centre, which was built in the wake of the earthquakes that struck Nepal in 2015, proved its resilience in the face of disaster in September last year when deadly monsoon rains hit the Kathmandu valley.

The landslides that ensued caused widespread destruction, displacing families and claiming lives. However, the Trauma Centre withstood the devastation and continued to provide an essential lifeline for medical care during the crisis. Its robust seismic design and reinforced structure proved invaluable, serving the local community at a time when healthcare access was more critical than ever.

The Trauma Centre is part of the wider Anandaban Hospital complex, located on a forested slope in Lele, Kathmandu. The hospital is a flagship leprosy hospital that serves 8,000 leprosy sufferers and general patients in the community each year. Built in 1957, the hospital was unable to withstand the high-magnitude earthquakes in 2015 and many of its buildings suffered significant damage, rendering them structurally unsafe and leaving the hospital’s ability to provide emergency care severely limited.

In response to the 2015 disaster, The Leprosy Mission UK enlisted the help of Article 25, the UK’s leading humanitarian architectural NGO renowned for its expertise in seismic design, to assess the damage and develop a plan for the hospital’s redevelopment. The initiative led to the design and construction of the Trauma Centre, which would also function as an A&E department, essential for responding to future earthquakes.

Article 25’s team, including leading seismic design engineers, developed a robust and resilient building plan using a reinforced concrete frame with brick infill walls, adhering to and exceeding Nepali seismic safety standards. Despite numerous challenges during construction – including the Covid-19 pandemic, border closures and severe weather conditions – the team successfully completed the project. Their unwavering commitment to safety and resilience ensured the Trauma Centre’s continued operation during the disaster.

The Trauma Centre now provides a comprehensive range of medical services, including emergency care, operating theatres and a maternity unit, while supporting ongoing research and treatment of leprosy. The project’s successful completion and resilience during the recent crisis stand as a testament to the strong collaboration between Article 25, The Leprosy Mission UK and their partners.

Following the success and durability of this building, the plan is for Article 25 to work on designing a new Mycobacterial Research Laboratory for the hospital, continuing its commitment to enhancing healthcare infrastructure in Nepal.

Since its inception in 2005, Article 25 has been at the forefront of enhancing community resilience in disaster-prone areas, partnering with NGOs and governments across the globe. To date, it has successfully delivered more than 100 building projects in 35 countries, with a focus on creating structures that withstand the harshest conditions.

Specialising in disaster risk reduction, Article 25 tackles challenges in regions vulnerable to earthquakes, extreme weather and unreliable power supplies. As the climate crisis exacerbates environmental risks, its expertise becomes increasingly important in mitigating the impact of these unpredictable events.

The organisation’s award-winning architecture, project management, and sustainable construction ensure that its buildings are built to last. By incorporating seismic design, passive strategies and off-grid solutions, Article 25 creates structures that endure in even the most challenging environments. Its impact is evident in work across the globe, including the reconstruction of housing in Dominica after Hurricane Maria, the rebuilding of a hospital following the volcanic eruption in Montserrat, and the development of essential infrastructure in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake.

To date, Article 25 has worked on more than 100 projects in 35 countries, collaborating with NGOs and governments worldwide, including the World Bank, The Leprosy Mission, and Operation Smile Morocco, among others.

For more information or if you’re interested in collaborating with Article 25, please contact Chief Executive Gemma Holding: gemma-holding@article-25.org