Emergency Shelter Option for Nepal

Emergency shelters like this could be built with stone walls wrapped in strong plastic mesh.
Emergency shelters like this could be built with stone walls wrapped in strong plastic mesh.

The photo shows the earthbag shelter design in our proposal to the UN. Earthbags are highly recommended since they’re tried and proven. However, in disaster areas bags and training may not be available, so it’s always good to have options. The emergency shelter idea explained here maximizes use of existing material and skills in Nepal in order to build shelter as quickly as possible.

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Earthbag Building: Potential Trillion Dollar Market

Large earthbag retaining wall reinforces the embankment between river and highway
Large earthbag retaining wall reinforces the embankment between river and highway

Yesterday I wrote to the two largest industry associations that are related to earthbag building — the Geosynthetics Society and the Textile Bag and Packaging Association. The Geosynthetics Society is the professional organization that represents engineers who design large earthbag projects for highways, railroads, erosion control, mining, marine facilities and many other industrial applications. The Textile Bag and Packaging Association represents manufacturers of bags and tubes that in addition to earthbag building are used for many purposes such as grain and feed bags, cement, etc. Both of these industries are poised to capitalize on a rapidly emerging new market in earthbag building.

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First Steps Himalaya planning to rebuild schools in rural Sindhupalchok

“First Steps Himalaya constructed an earthbag Education and Training Centre just prior to the massive earthquake that hit Nepal on 25th April 2015. The building was constructed using proven earthbag construction methods utilizing polypropylene sacks, barbed wire, steel rebar and earth. The building stood up to the 7.9 magnitude earthquake as well as a 6.5 magnitude local earthquake that followed soon after.

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The Owner Builder Facebook Page

Halftimber wood framing with light clay straw infill
Halftimber wood framing with light clay straw infill

How did I miss this site of one of my favorite magazines??? Maybe because I’m not a big Facebook fan? Lots of good stuff here. There’s a close-up photo of a bamboo splitter, rammed earth fireplace and lots of other interesting natural building projects. The photo above shows a good example of a lightweight building system that does not require intense physical effort.

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First Steps Himalaya.org Appeal for Help in Nepal

Earthquake damage in Nepal
Earthquake damage in Nepal

“We have launched an urgent appeal to help provide relief for FSH supported villages in rural Nepal devastated by the April 25th earthquake. We are deeply concerned about the welfare of the children and families supported by First Steps Himalaya in our 22 project villages.

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