Following the monitoring visit to Lumang Gewog in Trashigang Dzongkhag, the joint team from Karuna Foundation and Tarayana Foundation continued its engagement with communities in Dewathang Gewog, Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag, under the Disaster-Resilient Housing for Vulnerable Rural Communities in Bhutan project.
The visit marked Tarayana Foundation’s first tangible intervention in Samdrup Jongkhar. Before proceeding to the project sites, the team paid a courtesy call on the Dasho Dzongda to brief him on the initiative and seek the continued support of the Dzongkhag administration.
Monitoring Housing Progress in Gakiling and Rikhey
The team visited Gakiling and Rikhey Chiwogs to monitor progress on housing construction supported by Karuna Foundation. The initiative is facilitating the construction of 51 houses, including 29 in Gakiling and 22 in Rikhey, to support vulnerable families in accessing safer and more secure living conditions.
The Gakiling community was originally from Marthang village and was relocated approximately three years ago after a geological assessment identified landslide-related hazards that made the former settlement unsafe for continued habitation.
Resettling and rebuilding a community is a challenging process. Despite these difficulties, the people of Gakiling have demonstrated remarkable resilience, unity, and determination in establishing their new settlement. With support from the local government and Dzongkhag administration, the community has made steady progress in developing essential infrastructure, including roads, water facilities, and chain-link fencing.
However, access to safe, adequate, and durable housing remains a pressing need for many families.
During the visit, the team reviewed construction progress and visited existing homes to better understand families’ living conditions and the housing challenges they continue to face.
Listening to Communities and Understanding Local Needs
Beyond monitoring housing construction, the visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with community members, listen to their concerns, and understand the wider challenges affecting their daily lives and livelihoods.
Discussions covered access to water, nutrition, sanitation, product marketing, digital literacy, and other community priorities. These interactions reinforced the importance of listening to communities and ensuring that development initiatives respond to their circumstances, needs, and aspirations.
Building Safer Homes and More Resilient Communities
As climate change and natural hazards increasingly threaten vulnerable rural communities, access to safe and disaster-resilient housing is essential to protecting lives, strengthening security, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
Through the Disaster-Resilient Housing for Vulnerable Rural Communities in Bhutan project, Karuna Foundation and Tarayana Foundation are working to improve housing conditions for vulnerable families and support their efforts to rebuild safer and more secure futures.
Tarayana Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the Dzongkhag and Gewog administrations for their continued cooperation and support, and to its dedicated field staff for their efforts in facilitating coordination, implementation, and monitoring.
Together, these efforts are helping families rebuild not only their homes but also their sense of security, stability, and hope for the future.