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KVPT’s Response to the Earthquake

25 of 40 Projects Completed

Anyone who has the opportunity to walk amidst these beautiful architectural antiquities will appreciate their importance, not only for Nepal but for all of human civilization.
— President Jimmy Carter
 
 

KVPT's Earthquake Response

 

Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT), founded in 1991, remains the only international private non-profit dedicated to safeguarding Nepal’s architectural heritage. Our presence on the ground during the catastrophic 2015 earthquakes allowed our team to spearhead the rescue and protection of thousands of historic architectural fragments from the debris, and to shore up shaky structures to prevent collapse.
 
Today, our mission continues and expands as we work to rebuild and restore more than 20 historic structures using this treasure trove of rescued carvings - to step up planning, education, and advocacy to improve our projects and support the local professionals, craftsmen, laborers, and scholars who work with us.
 
The historic temples, palaces, and monasteries of the Kathmandu Valley are a world-class artistic and cultural treasure as well as a significant economic engine supporting tourism, Nepal's most important industry.
 
The Trust is celebrating a track record of over 90 historic buildings restored in cooperation with the Nepal Department of Archaeology, and supported by a diverse mix of local, international, private, public, and institutional donors.
 
The before-and-after images below compare 2015 earthquake damage with work-in-progress on KVPT’s uniquely successful Earthquake Response Campaign and Master plan for the Patan Darbar World Heritage Site.

See images below illustrating both recent earthquake damage as well as our work in progress on our 8-year Earthquake Response Campaign to restore the Patan Darbar, Nepal's most important cultural attraction and one of the finest historic urban ensembles in South Asia.

 

Patan Darbar Monuments: Before and After Photos the April 2015 Earthquake

 
In response to KVPT’s post-earthquake application, the cultural sites of the Kathmandu Valley have been included on the 2016 World Monuments Watch.
— Erich Theophile, Co-Founder & Executive Director, KVPT
 

Scope of KVPT’s Work in the Post-Earthquake Context

 
 

KVPT's Earthquake Response

 

We Need Your Support

KVPT’s work is supported entirely through donations. All donations go to support our restoration and rebuilding projects in the Kathmandu Valley.

Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust (KVPT) is a United States tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to KVPT are tax-deductible.

MEET OUR TEAM AT KVPTSTORIES.ORG