NEPAL
Supporting Communities & Enhancing Livelihoods
Nepal in numbers
- 20th most disaster prone countries in the world. Nepal faces over 450 disaster events each year, and it’s increasing
- 23% of the population living below the poverty line
- 80% of the country classified as mountainous or hilly
The Red Cross Response
Since 2015, the Irish Red Cross (IRC) has had an ongoing partnership with the Nepal Red Cross (NRC) implementing various projects that focus on enhancing targeted communities’ resilience, and livelihood interventions specifically in the province of Myagdi district, Nepal.
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.
Originally targeting marginalized households from only 2 wards within Myagdi district, the Livelihood Promotion Project – Phase II, has been extended to an additional two wards now targeting a total of 600 households. The IRC programme aims to support communities and vulnerable households in the district through the creation of economic opportunities and incorporation of climate-smart agriculture within the district.
The livelihood interventions will play an important role in terms of enhancing income, food security and strengthening the local economy. The project also targets individuals facing the greatest risk of exclusion (largely ethnic minorities, people with disabilities) by increasing their skills, knowledge and resources adapted to their training and support needs.
How we are helping
– Cash grants
– Kiwi plants
– Training in cultivation and management of orange orchards and walnut crops
– Support in setting up a homestay facility in order to benefit from tourism sector
– Support and train 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
IRC are also supporting small scale health interventions that are focused on strengthening community level capacities in dealing with minor health related emergencies. First-aid training has been rolled out in the communities as well as awareness sessions on community based health. The programme also includes the organisation of 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.
This project is supported by:
Last updated July 2024