The integration of financial systems into post-disaster reconstruction programs has become increasingly important in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficient distribution of resources. Following the 2015 Gorkha earthquake, Nepal implemented an owner-driven housing reconstruction model supported by a tranche-based grant system, where funds were disbursed in stages based on construction progress. This system was closely integrated with Management Information Systems (MIS) and formal banking institutions, creating a structured mechanism for linking beneficiary data with financial transactions. This study examines the socio-technical dynamics of this system, with a particular focus on its role in promoting digital financial inclusion. Using secondary data from reconstruction reports, institutional records, and MIS operational insights from 2016 to 2020, the study analyzes how financial systems, digital platforms, institutional processes, and human actors interacted in practice. The findings show that the system significantly expanded access to formal banking services and improved transparency in fund disbursement. However, challenges such as delays in verification, limited access to financial institutions in remote areas, uneven infrastructure, and low digital literacy among beneficiaries reduced the overall effectiveness of implementation. The study concludes that financial inclusion in reconstruction depends not only on system design but also on institutional coordination and user capacity. The paper provides policy-relevant insights for designing inclusive and efficient financial systems in post-disaster contexts.
Deependra Paudel (2025) studied this question.