Citizens’ Trust in Public Institutions of Nepal after April 25, 2015 Earthquake

Abstract

The assumption is that the Citizens’ Trust depends upon the level of performance of public institutions, the people’s civic duties and their expectations. The performance of public institutions is categorized according to preparedness, relief/response and reconstruction/rehabilitation during natural disasters like earthquakes, as prescribed by Natural Calamity and Relief Act, 1982 and National Strategy for Disaster Risk Management 2009. To test this assumption, data were collected systematically through questionnaire survey in four districts out of seven heavily struck by April 25, 2015 earthquake. The findings of this study reveal that the security agency had the highest citizens’ confidence due to their performance during the relief and response period. Functions like providing relief materials, mapping hazard zones, mobilization of resources, distribution of relief cards etc. had significant relationship with Citizens’ Trust whereas the implementation of the disaster plan, providing safe places, relief, and works in disaster affected areas have positive relationship but not significant. On the contrary, exploring dead bodies, providing temporary settlements and coordination with concerned stakeholders had negative effect on Citizens’ Trust.