Nepal

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Nepal is a small landlocked country in Sotuh Asia with 80 per cent of the county classified as mountainous or hilly. Twenty three per cent of the population are living below the poverty line. Nepal is also one of the 20th most disaster-prone countries in the world and 5th in terms of climate changed related disasters. 

To support the Irish Red Cross work in Nepal, please click here.

Background

As per the 2019 Human Development Index rank, Nepal is placed at 147 out of 189 countries. Although the Nepalese government has been promoting economic development and food security, many of the people are still struggling to access meaningful and sustainable employment within the country. And while there have been signs of good progress, these improvements hide the significant disparities within the population regarding gender, ethnic background, remoteness and age.

A significant percentage of the population leaves the country every year in search of employment, primarily from rural communities. Every year, millions of people are affected by floods, landslides, and droughts leading to loss of lives and disruption to the economic development of the country. Nepal, in short, is confronted with many challenges thus increasing the populations vulnerability.

The Red Cross Response

The Irish Red Cross (IRC) in cooperation with the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), is currently implementing a Community Livelihood Promotion Project in Myagdi District. Specifically, the project is focusing on three wards of Myagdi: Begkhola, Ducknam and Chimkhola ward. The project was initiated in December 2018 and will continue until June 2021.

Supporting Communities & Enhancing Livelihoods

The main source of occupation and livelihood for the majority of the population in Myagdi district is subsistence agricultural farming, mainly small scale livestock. Other contributions to livelihoods and food security are small businesses, tourism and remittances from family working overseas. Due to low level of agricultural production, the majority of the households face acute food shortages for a significant part of the year.

Cash grants, kiwi plants, and training in cultivation and management of orange orchards and walnut crops were provided across the communities as part of the IRC supported programme. This provides households with both nutritious value as well as sustainable and low-labour crops. A number of households involved in the programme are also receiving support in setting up a homestay facility in order to benefit from the tourism sector within Nepal. 

The programme prioritises the medium-term livelihood needs of vulnerable households and promotes a more self-sustainable option in the long term. It also supports and trains community mobilisers and livelihoods staff to work with and assist people from the most vulnerable groups in the community, namely, low income, socially excluded families, female headed households and people with disabilities.

The programme targets a total of 358 households across all three wards.

The livelihood interventions will play an important role in terms of enhancing income, food security and strengthening the local economy.

Community Based Health Promotion

IRC are also supporting small scale health interventions that improve the health situation and that are focused on strengthening community level capacities in dealing with minor health related emergencies. First-aid training has been rolled out to 72 people in the communities as well as awareness sessions on community based health.

The programme also includes the organisation of eight health screening camps, targeting people with disabilities, as well as the procurement and distribution of assistive devices such as walking aids, hearing devices, and glasses.

To support the Irish Red Cross work in Nepal, please click here.