NLRP II Insights (September – November 2024)

Following the devastating floods and landslides that occurred on September 11th and 12th, 2024 in Nepal, affected areas have been grappling with the aftermath. Bagmati Rural Municipality (RM) in Lalitpur was among the hardest-hit regions. In response to the crisis, Caritas Nepal (CN), through its Nepal Livelihood Recovery Program (NLRP II), distributed essential relief materials to the most impacted households.

In the first phase of relief distribution, 10 severely affected households received support. Four households were provided with food packages, which included 2 bags of rice, 2 kg of lentils, 2 liters of oil, 2 kg of soy chunks, and 1 kg of mixed beans. Additionally, wash kits consisting of a 20-liter bucket, mug, bath towel, face towel, sanitary pads, bathing soap, and washing soap were distributed. Bedding materials included a double bed mattress, two blankets, bed sheets, and two pillows, along with a platform for sleeping. Non-food items, such as kitchen utensils including pressure cookers, cooking pots, serving spoons, dinner plates, and steel glasses, were also provided.

In the second phase, relief assistance reached six more households, addressing their urgent needs. Furthermore, seven tarpaulins were distributed to support those in need of temporary roofing for their animal sheds. Caritas Nepal’s timely intervention has provided much-needed relief and support to the victims in this challenging time.

A capacity-building training on the Cooperative’s Strategic Business Plan was conducted from September 24th to 28th, 2024, at the NCRC in Gaidakot, Nawalparasi. The training aimed to enhance participants’ understanding of strategic planning principles and assist them in developing five-year strategic plans for their respective cooperatives.

A total of 27 participants attended the training, including 11 staff members from Caritas Nepal (CN) and 16 managers, staff, and leaders from ten cooperatives. The program was inaugurated by Fr. Manjush, who performed a lighting ceremony and delivered opening remarks. Mr. Chintan Manadhar, Head of the Program at Caritas Nepal, and Mr. Harish Sing Kuwar, the Province Coordinator for CN Nawalparasi, also offered encouraging words to the attendees. The training was facilitated by Mr. Tej Prasad Bajgain, Managing Director of Hamro Solution.

A three-day Cooperative Management Training Program was successfully conducted in Rupa Rural Municipality from October 22nd to 24th, 2024. The program aimed to equip cooperative members with essential knowledge and skills in effective management, financial literacy, and sustainable development practices. Representatives from 14 cooperatives, covering wards 1 to 7, participated, with an average of four members per ward, bringing the total number of attendees to 27.

In addition to the training program, a stakeholder meeting was held in Kaksi to discuss the integration of disability inclusion into local government plans and budgets. The meeting focused on the importance of addressing the needs of people with disabilities in the development and implementation of local policies and programs. Participants shared insights and ideas to ensure that disability inclusion is prioritized in local government planning and budgeting processes.

Similar ward-level stakeholder meetings were also conducted in Devchuli Municipality, Nawalpur, and Panchapokhari Municipality, Surkhet, to discuss the inclusion of disability considerations in local government plans and budgets.

A three-day training program on Cooperative Financial Management and PEARLS (Protection, Effective Financial Structure, Asset Quality, Rates of Return and Costs, Liquidity, and Signs of Growth) was conducted from November 23 to 25, 2024, in Devchuli Municipality, Nawalparasi. The training, organized in collaboration with the Municipal-Level Cooperative Network, aimed to enhance the skills of 16 cooperative managers, accounting staff, and leaders, with a majority being women.

Participants gained valuable insights into risk management, PEARLS indicators, and essential management skills. A pre- and post-training assessment indicated a significant 40% improvement in knowledge.

The training was facilitated by Mr. Madhav Prasad Paudyal, Chief Executive Officer of VCCU Nawalparasi, and Mr. Krishna Kumar Tamang, Program Coordinator of NLRP-II.

Similarly, the same training was held in Surkhet, with 28 participants taking part.

In the project locations, groups are ready to participate in the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Farmer Field School (FFS) at the farmer level. Approximately 25 farmers from 9 groups will be involved in the IPM FFS for winter crops. The IPM FFS is at different stages across various locations.

In Lalitpur, farmers have already begun collecting Agroecosystem Analysis (AESA) data from their trial plots, while others have completed the Ballot Box test to assess their pre-existing knowledge of IPM. Meanwhile, in some locations, such as Devchuli and Kankai, farmers are planning to complete planting by the end of this week.

During the Field School, weekly classes on climate change, pest management, intercultural operations, and data collection are ongoing.

A three-day capacity-building training on Social Protection, Safeguarding, Help Desk Management, and Legal Aid for Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and women network leaders was organized from November 20 to 22, 2024, as part of the social theme (POWER-III) under NLRP-II.

A total of 22 participants, including 18 women and 2 Caritas Nepal staff members from 17 cooperative/mediation centers/women’s networks, participated in the training, which enhanced their knowledge on various topics such as legal provisions against gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, and domestic violence. Other topics covered included the roles and responsibilities of HRDs and judicial committee members, cybercrime, coordination, linkages, and networking, as well as the concept of the budget formulation process and gender-friendly budgeting. Participants were also oriented on Caritas Nepal’s complaint-handling system and engaged in sessions on gender tools analysis.

Throughout the training, participants actively shared their personal experiences and insights, creating a collaborative learning environment. The program was facilitated by Advocate Ganesh Dhami, Inspector Ms. Nimal Tamang, and the Caritas Nepal program team.

A Child Rights, Protection, and Advocacy training was conducted from November 26 to 28, 2024, for 17 NLRP-II program staff working in the child sector. The primary goal of the training was to enhance participants’ knowledge of child rights and the legal frameworks that protect and promote children’s welfare.

This initiative is a crucial step toward ensuring the well-being and safety of every child in our communities and beyond.

A Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Analysis workshop was held in Baijanath Rural Municipality-1, Chisapani, Banke, on November 21st and 22nd, 2024. The two-day event brought together eighteen participants to explore critical issues related to climate change and disaster risk.

The workshop focused on developing a crop calendar, understanding seasonal patterns of climatic hazards, assessing the impact of these hazards on livelihoods, analyzing the community’s vulnerability and capacity to cope with climate change, and formulating effective post-disaster mitigation strategies. By addressing these key areas, the workshop aimed to empower the community to build resilience and adapt to the challenges posed by climate change and disasters.

A legal counseling training for judicial committee members, mediators, elected ward officials, and social volunteers was conducted in coordination with Kankai Municipality and Caritas Nepal in Jhapa. The training emphasized the importance of mediation centers as effective dispute resolution methods. Participants were encouraged to apply the knowledge gained to promote peaceful conflict resolution within their communities.

The training was facilitated by Ramchandra Basnet, Branch Officer and Mediation Trainer at Jhapa District Court, and Advocate and Mediation Trainer Sanu Karki. A total of 28 individuals, including members of Kankai Municipality’s Judicial Committee and mediators from all 9 wards, attended the training.