- National/Political events
In what is seen as an important political development in September, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) declared three-month long unilateral cease-fire with immediate effect. However, after less than a week of announcing unilateral ceasefire, chairman of Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), Prachanda, warned that his party could withdraw its call any time if the government tried to expand its military activities.
Seven agitating political parties welcomed the announcement of Maoist chairman Prachanda and speaking at a joint mass meeting in Kathmandu, the leaders said the truce announcement to be a positive step towards restoring peace in the country and resolve the political crisis facing the country. On the other hand, the Royal Nepalese Army said the declared ceasefire to be nothing but a ploy to re-strengthen their military force. Reports say that the Maoists continue to abduct civilians including students and teachers and execute violence even after the ceasefire declaration. A group of Maoists abducted eight locals of Bobang area in Baglung district. They also took away 14 students from a high school in Saptari district. They apparently tried to kill Joshi Ram, a local resident, but he managed to flee. Likewise, the insurgents abducted a technician Chet Narayan Sharma from Dhading district while they took a Nepali Congress activist Sun Bahadur Tamang to an unknown location. Likewise, the rebels set fire to the office of Gairagaon VDC in far-western Doti district. They also bombed the offices of Children's Development Program and Agriculture Programs and burned down the documents. Rumors from rural areas reveal the fact of Maoists campaigning and collecting war tax with the local community. In the mean time, in Kailali, Holistic Development Centre organized a joint program with Maoists and agitating parties. The grogram, participated by the thousands of people, was organized in Fulbari, one of the working areas of LWF partner - CSSD. Tharuwan Mukti Swayatta Pradesh and Bheri Karnali (wings and unit government of Maoist) published the Code of Conduct for development agencies which reflects little bit liberality than their previous strategy. On the other hand, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said the number of conflict-related violent incidences to come down by almost 90 percent over the 2 weeks after the Maoists declared unilateral ceasefire.
Over 500 leaders and activists of the seven agitating political parties were arrested from pro-democracy demonstrations in central Kathmandu in another protest rally in this month. Despite the on-going violent conflict affecting almost all walks of social life, Nepal has made some progress in terms of human development index (HDI), a latest UN report said. According to the Human Development Report 2005, Nepal has been ranked 136th out of 177 countries measured in terms of their human development. Last year, Nepal was ranked at 140th position.
In the time when the country is going through political crisis, the government of Nepal has urged the World Bank not to remove Nepal from the base level and to implement Poverty Reduction Cooperation (PRSC 2). In the last fiscal year, the bank had cancelled budget assistance worth Rs.7 billion under PRSC 2 saying Nepal has been unable to intensify its reform programs and has not been able to fulfill its previous commitments in this regard. In the meanwhile, the government of the Federal Republic of Germany has donated over Rs 22 million (USD 307,125) for the support of Bhutanese refugees living in east Nepal. According to a press communiqué issued by the German embassy in Kathmandu, Germany is contributing the grant under a project of UNHCR titled 'Humanitarian Assistance and International Protection for Bhutanese in Nepal.' Likewise, Bhutanese refugees have renewed their call upon the United Nations (UN) to intervene immediately to resolve the 15-year-old refugee saga. In a petition sent to UN Secertary General Kofi Annan through UN office system in Kathmandu, the refugees have urged Mr. Annan to take note of the unresolved and prolonged human rights situation and initiate urgent actions to resolve the crisis before it goes out of hand. At the same time, Bhutanese refugee groups in eastern Nepal have warned the Nepal government not to fall into trap of Bhutanese government and raise the refugee issue at the forthcoming general assembly of the United Nations.
This month, Social Welfare Council (SWC) drafted the code of conduct aimed at regulating the NGOs and INGOs. SWC Officials claimed that the code of conduct would be focused on controlling misuse of funds and ensure proper utilization of resources for the advantage of the target groups and also make NGOs accountable and transparent in order to develop result-oriented auditing system. However AIN has been arguing that there is no need of an additional instrument to regulate and make the activities of I/NGOs more effective as there already exist five such legal documents. The AIN recently submitted its written comments on the draft code of conduct to SWC.
2. Development Programs
3.1. Western Region
In the western region, political situation changed a bit of its dimension due to cease fire announced by Maoist for 3 months. During the cease fire, working environment has been better for the field staff. WRCU visited various sites in the west and could conduct most of the planned activities.
LWF's implementing partner CSSD continued working in 5 VDCs of Kailali even though Phulbari, Gadariya and Urma are the most Maoists affected areas. In the conflicting political situation, working with or by CBOs has been the most effective and safest way for the development agencies. CSSD in this regard is not an exception as its activities would not have been successful if there had not been support from the locals. During the month, CSSD paid efforts especially in cluster meetings, group discussions, peer educator's interaction and orientation program. Besides, CSSD also succeeded to canalize gabion wire equivalent to NRS 156,000 from District Jal Utpanna Prakop office to Chaumala CBO.
Staff of the other implementing partner - KPUS visited 340 Kamaiya homes in this month. They also attended 15 settlement level meetings and discussed on reproductive health issues. Two hand pumps for drinking water were also installed. Other activities of the month include collective vegetable farming by 85 households, group facilitator training for 33 groups as well as day long VDC level group interactions which covered 8 VDCs.
The other partner CEAPRED Kailali conducted 93 one day trainings on vegetable kitchen gardening to the farmers of 2214 households. It also conducted 37 trainings for semi-commercial farmers of 869 households. 205 livestock case handled in this months where as two more micro irrigation schemes completed in two VDCs benefited 37 households. More support has been given in veterinary medicine, tools and equipments with an amount of NRS 7359. A collection center is being constructed in Kailali to link 300 households' productions with the market. In this season alone, agriculture fund collected by different CBOs reached to more than NRS 12759. Likewise, CEAPRED Banke supported 39 semi-commercial vegetable farmers. Vet medicine supported in deworming to 59 animals and treatment given to 50 animals. In this month, four more treadle pumps were installed by semi-commercial farmers and delivery pipes have been distributed to 18 households. Similarly, training on IPM and IPNM held in 3 VDCs from which 154 semi-commercial households (65 female and 89 male) benefited. One day training of IPM for leasehold household was participated by 8 persons (female 3 and male 5).
This month, LWF's other partner SAKTEE focused its activities in group strengthening (GST) in new six VDCs. Community facilitators training (CFT) also conducted which selected 44 groups and 190 (75 female and 115 male) facilitators. The other trainings conducted in this month have been the book keeping and fund management refresher to CBOs as well as in management, leadership and facilitation skill development.
Similarly in south Kailali LWF's other partner Yes Nepal carried out on the spot coaching in 3 VDCs for 76 group facilitators and HIV/AIDS and STD training to 36 (female 17 and male 19) participants. 10 participants of 2 VDCs are also taking Bet Bamboo furniture making training in the local level. 3 CBOs also completed their annual general assembly.
SEBAC Nepal also continued its regular program like VDC level PE network meeting, hygiene and sanitation orientation, participatory poverty analysis, CBO interaction, PRSP workshop and PEER Educator training. This month, 86 households have been visited by Groups Facilitators and Group Representatives in 10 VDCs. Likewise, 50 groups were followed up by LA/PA and EPDA staff while 44 groups were assessed.
3.2. Central Region
As per the decision of LWF Nepal, 4 dalit girls and 2 girls from Santhal community of Lalitpur district received training by CTEVT recognized MSR Development Support Institute. The training was more focused to the girls aspiring to gain professional knowledge in development programs.
This month, a meeting was also held among LWF and the partner organizations - FEDO, CEAPRED, STEP Nepal and DEPROSC as an effort to build coordination among the partners so that the household and group monitoring process becomes effective as well as less time consuming. It also aimed to reduce the duplications of the programs by the partners. It has been decided that FEDO would take the lead in the monitoring process and would monitor the groups and household of all those VDCs of Lalitpur where it works. Similarly, CEAPRED and STEP would work in VDCs where they have their own programs.
Through CEAPRED, demand collection and distribution of vegetable seeds were the major activities conducted in September. Seeds of cauliflower, cabbage, radish, mustard, turnip, coriander and onion were distributed to the farmers of Lamatar, Lubhu, Tikathali and Godamchaur. Both Dalits and non Dalits farmers are making good income with the sale of different vegetables and poultry products. On the occasion of the Hindu festival Teej, CEAPRED also conducted Dohari song competition at Lamatar VDC as demanded by the groups. Representatives of FEDO, STEP- Nepal and DEPROSC attended the competition.
DEPROPSC this month supported four BBB (Bal Bikash Bhawan) with different education materials like books, magazines and sports equipments. At the same time all of the 6 BBBs were supported for different innovative activities, which involve essay writing, wall painting, singing etc. Similarly, a five-day basic training for volunteers of out of school classes (OSC) was conducted in three VDCs. As a refresher training to the peer educator a one-day interaction was also held for 7 girls and 6 boys Peer Educators. 16 villagers participated an orientation program on the importance of Savings and Credit Organization (SCO) organized by SCO members in facilitation of DEPROSC staff. For the first time this year, DEPROSC conducted 3 day SCO management training, which was attended by 20 female members. This month one SCO was supported with basic required stationeries. On the other hand, 4 day VDC level basic account keeping training was conducted for Women Saving and Credit Group (WSCG). Also, 7 day TOT to volunteers, staff and social mobilizers on account training was conducted for 18 participants. Street drama, performed by the children in a VDC for the first time was viewed by 200 locals. However, DEPROSC countered some difficulties in the program implementation this month due to the blockade of transportation in Ramechhap for nine continuous days.
3.3. Eastern Region
During the month, regular meeting of WDA board, CBOs and group meetings smoothly went ahead. A total of 26 CBO boards participated on 2 days CBOs assessment workshop and prepared the organizational development plan. Similarly, 3 members (2 from CBOs and 1 from the WDA) participated in the training on leadership, authority and organization at Sidhartha Village. The group evaluation was also completed by Jalukeni and Saptarangee male and female groups respectively. They also prepared institutional development plan after analyzing the present situation.
The Chetansheel Female Group on the other hand communally cultivated Dal seed to increase economic condition at Yangsheela VDC. Similarly, the Chandra Surya mixed group planted "Sinkaulee" - a kind of spice tree in a 4 Ropani land. The members from the groups are also continuing the small scale income generation activities. Dilmaya Lama of Sikchyadip group started small tea shop taking loan from the group empowerment fund from which she earns average of 325 rupees per day.
WDA also conducted a month long "Reproductive Health Education Program" for 9 persons. Many groups are also engaging in the community work like irrigation canal repair, road repair, school repair well repair etc. Children's day was observed in both Keroun and Yangsheela VDCs. CBDP fund of Rs 5,000 provided to CBO for disaster mitigation activities. WDA also signed an agreement with Radio Nepal, Dhankuta Prasaran to disseminate/publish the empowerment activities every second Saturday of the month at 6.15 PM.
With the support from WDA Garamuni, VDC level group interactions completed and auditing was done among the WDA, 2 CBOs and 94 groups. The trainings included in this month were 4 days book keeping training for 14 participants from the CBO executive board and Legal Facilitator training for 10 LEEP facilitators. Similarly, compost making training provided to 140 persons (female 70 and male 55) and 3 days IPM training given to 140 persons (female 85, male 55) as well as 2 days goat raising training conducted for 42 persons (female 28 Male 14). A total of 6 EEP centers started for 137 females. Also, IEC materials were distributed to 83 peers (female 57 and male 26) of 3 VDCs. By now, a total of 253 farmers are found involved in vegetable farming and 46 in livestock farming training. WDA also provided vegetable seeds to 42 households and off-seasonal seed provided on 50% subsidy to the 190 households of 41 groups.
4. Relief and Rehabilitation
4.1 Bhutanese Refugee Project (BRP)
Refugee care and maintenance program continued as before. Assessment of refugee shelters condition to support them with plastic sheets during this monsoon is on going.
RCC poles production training continued at Goldhap camp which will be used for refugee shelters in the camp. Electrification work at Khudunabari is about to complete and in Goldhap, it is going on as per the demand of the local communities. Construction of gravity flow water supply for Timai camp is also continued in coordination with local communities.
BRWF has been continuing the community development activities in all the refugee camps. Formed school drop-out student campaign team in all camps and BRWF conducted one day orientation to them. Bamboo furniture making training and cycle repairing training is continuing. Besides that, BRAVVE' has been continuing skill development training to the vulnerable refugees and Children forum.
4.2 Refugee Host Community Support Project (RHCSP)
Empowerment Education Project (EEP) for 200 females is now running on 5 months. According to the reports, average attendance of the participants is 60% to 80%. The Women in Business (WIB) classes for 300 are going on as per the plan in 12 centers. They have completed second part of course and have already started with the three parts of the book. After completing 3 months, 6 months long sewing and cutting training for 15 deaf females, implemented through the local NGO Mechi Deaf Association at Khudunabari, is going on smoothly. By the end of September, Bamboo furniture making training for 15 deaf males of Damak has been completed. Now, as the participants are skilled enough, they are making furniture in their own homes.
Commercial vegetable production program is running smoothly in 5 centers at Arjundhara DMC, Lakhanpur, Budhabare(2) and Shantinagar VDCs. Vocational trainings like plumbing and house wiring, electronic good services, photography, beautician and handcraft training as well as computer hardware trainings are running on as per the plan. Five months courses have been already completed for the first batch comprising of 70 people out of which 33 are female and 37 males of 14 VDCs. The attendance of the participants found quite satisfactory.
This month, LWF conducted 7 days TOT on solid waste management and compost making training at Damak Municipality to the refugee as well as for the local NGO's, Forest User's committees and DMCs. The purpose of the training was to have cleaner environment and help people derive some benefits from the easily available waste after converting it into the compost. LWF also organized a 7 days bio-engineering training for 26 DMCs and Users committees to have disaster preparedness through bio-engineering methods.
LWF also signed an agreement with EARPAN (a regional net work) Biratnagar for baseline study of Meche and Santhal community in 6 VDCs and one municipality of Jhapa. The other agreement was signed with a new partner,Sahara Nepal. The programs are being conducted for Santhal community in Duwagadhi and Garamani VDCs of Jhapa while the Banana Plantation and Production project is being implemented through Abhiyan Nepal of Khudunabari.
Out of the planned 12 CBDP trainings, 4 trainings have been completed at Budhabare, Arjundhara, Lakhapur and Surunga by this month with the participation of 64 females and 53 males. A ward wise one day CBDP training also completed where 7 more has to go in the coming months. Around 30-40% of construction work of 7 school blocks, 7 school toilets, and furniture support in 15 schools is completed. Construction of ALWS funded school at Garamani is also completed.
4.3 Disaster Preparedness/ Risk Management Activities
In the month of September, with the support from ACT International, LWF Nepal implemented Community Based Disaster Preparedness activities in 40 communities of four flood and landslide prone districts of central and eastern Nepal. During this period, with the support of local disaster preparedness units of respective communities, numbers of awareness raising, training and mitigation initiatives have been completed. As these communities are now equipped with food grain store bin, first aid box, stretcher and hand mikes, they also started to establish local disaster relief fund.
Apart from non structural activities, communities also identified and implemented some structural mitigation works (i.e. check dam gabion work, drainage development and gully improvements). Beside these, renovations of school buildings and water systems are in progress. Because of the remoteness or project locations and security situation in Udayapur and Makwanpur districts, progress of structural mitigation and renovation works are relatively lower than other the two districts.
In Kathmandu for IG and other trainings, Manushi has been using a hall provided by Maobadi Pidit Sangh (an organization of Maoist Victims). This month, as per the demand of the IDPs, four-day training on Vermi compost making from domestic wastages was conducted for 20 females as production and marketing of Vermi compost is easy. A one-day orientation also held in coordination with NRCS for 20 women on Environmental, Health and Sanitation. As per need, 14 boy students and 16 girl students of IDP families studying in different schools were supported with admission fee, stationary and dresses. Likewise, in Banke, 50 students were supported with bags and stationeries. An orientation on General Health and Sanitation as a part of awareness raising program was held for 46 women in coordination with DHO. 30 IDP students were supported with school dresses, shoes, bags and stationeries in Surkhet. In Kailali, 22 students were supported with admission fee, stationary and dress accordingly as per the identified needs.
The trainings conducted this month include 14 IDP trainings for women in Rajena camp, Banke who received training on Dalmot production and a 5 day long retail business training for 18 women IDPs in Surkhet with an objective to enable them better manage their shops.
With the help of LWF's implementing partner, MEET Nepal, two Self Employment Education Program (SEEP) and Non-Formal Education (NFE) program are operating as a support to the displaced women. As a change brought from these literacy classes, women and young girls are seen to identify Nepali letters as well as the short words and do simple mathematics. With the SEEP class, women also have developed simple concept of the savings. Currently, altogether 70 women are benefiting from trainings like sewing and cutting, embroidery, Mithila art and patch works.
4.4 Gender Sensitive HIV/AIDS
The partners NGOs of LWF - AMDA and SADG have been implementing the HIV/AIDS program in the refugee camps with various programs. In the month of September, SADG organized two days Behavior Change Workshop on HIV/AIDS at Damak for 55 participants of SARATHI and SoVAA. The other trainings provided by SADG were TFD training on HIV/AIDS for 25 participants of SoVAA and SARATHI and Gender Sensitization training for 19 SARATHI at Damak. Similarly, four networking meetings were held at Khudunabari, Prithivinagar, Urlabari and Sanischare by SoVAA and SARATHI among 68 participants (44 female and 24 male).
Inter VDC networking meeting held at Birtamode was attended by 15 participants from SoVAA of Charpane, Garamani and Anarmani VDCs. Similarly, SARATHI of Birtabazar, Jhapa organized one day interaction program for 19 school students of 12-24 age groups at Mahendra Ratna Secondary School. SARATHI and SoVAA of Sanischare and Buttabari organized a video show program for 123 community people at Sanischare and 48 people at Buttabari. SARATHI and SoVAA also organized a TFD show program on the issue of caste discrimination for 82 community people. Likewise, the street drama performed by HIV/AIDS volunteer groups on HIV/AIDS/RH and girls trafficking with the support from AMDA was successful in gathering approximately 2,500 community people. In order to continue the gender sensitive HIV/AIDS program smoothly and effectively, this month, a Program facilitator was appointed in Timai camp.
Through STEP Nepal, as in the previous months, the Peer Educators visited 152 households and provided counseling to identify Sex Workers (SW) and Intervenes Drug Users (IDU). The peer educators also visited eight households of members SWs and followed up households of IDUs.
During the month, 60 people attended an orientation on Communicable and Non Communicable Diseases and HIV/AIDS held in Rajena camp in Banke in coordination with DHO.
The other partner MEET Nepal has been conducting awareness classes every Sundays on gender equality, life valued skills including HIV/AIDS and existing legal provisions for women and children.
5. Advocacy/Networking Partners
This month, NNDSWO finalized the script of the new social message in consultation with LWF. The dramatized message, which focuses on the land rights of Kamaiya people, is already on air from Nepal Television. The message has been well received by both the dalit and non dalit viewers who also opined it to be the right way to aware the people on their rights.
NNDSWO also continued Dalit advocacy. This month, two more Haliya groups were supported with the seed money for income generation activities from which 25 households benefited. Two more Haliya groups, comprising of 22 members, were also formed. A conference between Haliyas and land lords also held where 47 Haliyas and 6 landlords participated. Similarly, interactions in CBOs for elimination of cast discrimination, campaign for dalit rights for forest, water and land continued. Three more cases filed against caste discrimination and 4 more in Haliya labors. A public hearing program was attended by 10 stakeholders and 67 participants. Besides, in an interaction session held in Kathmandu, victims of Haliya system put forward their issues in a forum, participated by policy makers, development workers and donors. Haliyas, also organized a campaign to nationalize the Haliya issue in various places of highways. The Haliyas also handed over Hali (equipment used for ploughing) to the deputy prime minister as a gesture of their antagonism towards this inhumane system.
During the month, LWF Nepal also provided equipments to DWO for the establishment of a hostel for dalits. A new group comprising 7 females and 2 males has also been formed by our partner organization - FEDO. Interaction programs held with an aim to organize disadvantaged Dalit women in a group so that they could advocate their rights. The first interaction included Japanese group of Asia Volunteers Center, Nava Durga Youth Club, Dalit women group and FEDO where as the second interaction was between Asia Volunteer Center and Dalit women group. A group named Naulo Bachat Samuha has prepared a five-year plan. This year, the group has decided to contribute Rs 5000 cash and labor contribution for building the community house. The group has already collected Rs 2751 from other sources for the same purpose.
6. Organizational Development/Personnel/Administration/Training/Workshop
- This month LWF conducted three day long training on Rights Based Approach (RBA) for its staff in Dhulikhel. 15 staff in total from LWF Central, East and West participated the training. From the year 2006, LWF has decided work in Rights Based Model. The trainers for the program were from Action Aid Nepal.
- Ms Shardha Shah joined LWF, from 1 of September as a Health and HIV/AIDS Manager (HHAM).
- Program Coordinator Ms Anjana Malla of the CEAPRED left the organization and Ms Ranjana Mishra has replaced her who now is responsible for the LWF funded livelihood project.
- Country Representative Marceline P. Rozario attended Anti-trafficking workshop in Cambodia, organized by DCA.
- Finance and Admin Coordinator participated in PVO Financial and Management training in New Delhi