Humanitarian Aid

Goal
To facilitate farmers with modern farming tools for achieving sustainable production amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duration
August to November 2020

Location

1. Halesi, Khotang
2. Sahidbhumi, Dhankuta
3. Chulachuli, Ilam
4. Arjundhara, Jhapa
5. Miklajung, Morang

Targeted Beneficiaries

20000 households

Funding Partner  

Swiss Agency for Development Corporation (SDC)

Implementing Partner
Caritas Nepal field offices and sub office

The Situation (Background)

On 24 March 2020, the Nepal Government imposed a complete ‘lock-down’ of the country including business closures and restrictions on all movements within the country to maintain COVID-19 health safety measures. Thousands of people have been affected economically, socially and psychologically as the rate of deprivation in the mass population increased dramatically within 2 months of the lockdown. With the continued situation of the lockdown, the agriculture input market has been disrupted significantly affecting the large farming communities in Nepal including the communities in province one.  The disruption of supply chain in peak farming seasons of summer and monsoon has led to a situation where farmers either have to delay the initiation of farming, and/or are not able to ensure good crop health and yields due to lack of agriculture inputs such as seeds and fertilizers.  Agriculture is mainstay of economy of Nepal and majority of the rural households depend on it for food security, nutrition and incomes.  Given this situation, the plan of SDC will enable the smaller holder farmers to access agriculture inputs, realize timely farming of various crops, and contribute to their food security and incomes in time of the COVID 19 Pandemic.

Approach (Strategies)

• Location Selection
• Beneficiary Selection
• Sensitization and Registration of Beneficiaries
• Identification and Finalization of Agriculture Inputs
• Rapid Market Assessment (RMA) and Voucher Modality Finalization
• Finalization of Vendors
• Preparation for Voucher Program
• Organize Trade Fairs and Market Sale Events

Achievements

• Reached the most marginalized and disadvantaged 20,000 families of 5 communities of eastern Nepal through various agriculture input supports, assistance for accessing markets through trade fairs (Haat Bazar) at local market selling points, ensuring transport facilities.
• With the technical support from Catholic Relief Service (CRS), the project intends to facilitate farmers with modern farming tools for achieving sustainable production amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
• In order to ensure the transparency, the project has adopted voucher program modality while distributing farm inputs enabling smaller holder farmers to access agriculture inputs, realize timely farming of various crops and contribute to their food security and incomes in this time of emergency.

Goal
To address the safety and dignity of the most vulnerable households affected by COVID-19 pandemic in Tansen municipality, Palpa district.

Duration
May to August 2020

Location
Tansen municipality, Palpa District

Beneficiaries Outreach
100 households

Funding Partner  

Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Implementing Partner
Caritas Nepal field office, Tansen

The Situation (Background)
In the wake of COVID-19 Pandemic country’s health system has been affected and slowing down the major sectors of the economy affecting Nepal’s most vulnerable and food insecure households. Daily wage workers, small farmers, elderly, single mothers and large families with children living below poverty line have been severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, thousands of migrant workers are coming back to the country and they are soon going to be without work and income.

Approach (Strategies)

• Targeting the HHs headed by elderly, children, single women, women (pregnant and lactating), PWDs and chronically sick
• Livelihood support for households depending on daily wages (agriculture, construction, transportation/load unload, porter) for cash and food
• Priority to the HHs with multiple layers of vulnerability- need to be prioritized 1st
• Hand wash station establishment on quarantine center, health post, hospital and other public places.

Achievements

• Caritas Nepal team and mayor of Tansen Municipality, Palpa inaugurated the Hand free hand washing station installed in front of Municipality office under the COVID -19 Response Program.  Similar hand washing platforms are being constructed in all public places, quarantine centers, health posts and hospitals of Palpa.

Goal
Provide emergency relief and contribute to early recovery through support to resilience of the livelihoods of Tornado affected families and enhance their resilience to future disaster.

Duration
1st April 2019 to 30th Feb, 2020

Location
Mahagadhimai Municipality and Devatal Rural Municipality, Bara

Beneficiaries Outreach
412 households

Funding Partner  

Caritas Australia, Missio, Caritas Italiana, Caritas Japan

Implementing Partner
Jan Jagaran Youth Club (JJYC), Bara

The Situation (Background)
March 2019 southern Nepal tornado. On 31 March 2019, a powerful “rainstorm” swept across two districts of southern Nepal killing at least 28 and injuring more than 1,100 people. It was later identified as the first confirmed case of a tornado in Nepal.

Approach (Strategies)

Contributed to recover and uplift livelihood of tornado affected marginalized and poor families by providing crop seeds, enhancing their capacity and providing seed money support. A total of 9 vegetable farming groups of 249 poor and marginalized farmers were formed, trained on improved vegetable farming practices and provided 36 spray tank, fertilizer (DAP 6221 KG, Urea 4116 KG, Potash 1257 KG, Safaya/Fungicide 38 Packets, potato 9050 KG and more than 500 packets of different vegetable seeds. A total of 241 beneficiaries planted vegetable in 23-10-00 land and secured income of NPR 23, 12,200 with the average income of each HH NPR 9, 286 up to February 2020. Further, 214 HH are benefiting the irrigation facility of newly installed 8 shallow boring and one deep boring. Additionally, 10 beneficiaries started micro-enterprise with small support of seed money NPR 10,000 to each and they started to secured financial income NPR 300 to 1000 per day. This project supported 1822 cemented tiles to 65 beneficiaries to repair their damaged house and further each beneficiary got NPR 3250 as cash for work. The beneficiaries have utilized their income in children schooling/education, cloth, and routine household expenses. Further, 20 beneficiaries trained on mobile repairing and the best five trainees received seed money NPR 20,000 to start their own business. On the side of sanitation and hygiene, 536 people from community and school involved in hygiene promotion campaign and 206 WASH kit and 206 sweaters were provided to school students of affected areas. Regarding disaster preparedness, LDCRP including VCA of eleven wards of Mahagadhimai municipality and DPRP of Bara district has been drafted.

Achievements

• 249 farmer enhanced their livelihood opportunities after receiving the various vegetable seedlings and tools.
• 249 farmers also improved their farming practices after getting training on modern farming practices resulting increased production.
• 1295 tornado affected increased knowledge in improved hygiene practices after participating in hygiene promotion campaign.
• 532 students received WASH kit containing towel, soap, hair oil, tooth paste, tooth cleaner and nail cutter.
• 20 received mobile repairing training and advanced knowledge and 5 also received NRS. 20,000 to start electronic shop business.
• 10 most vulnerable and marginalized families were provided cash grant support of NPR. 10,000 for-enterprises set up.
• 214 households benefited from 8 shallow boring and one deep boring installed for ensuring irrigation facility.
• 65 household received cemented tiles for reconstructing their house and also 5 day cash for work support amount NPR. 3250 each.
• 205 school students benefited through retrofitting of school building and stationary support.
• 9 farmers groups has been formed and now they are doing farming enhancing their livelihood worth NPR. 10,000 per month.

Goal
To facilitate the formal education program for Bhutanese refugee children in refugee camps and admission to a community school. 

Duration
Jan 2018 to Dec 2019 

Location
Pathari Sanischare Municipality, Damak Municipality, District Education office, Jhapa and Morang 

Beneficiaries Outreach
Bhutanese Refugee children and families  

Funding Partner  

Implementing Partner
UNHCR 

The Situation (Background)
In the early 1990s, tensions between the Bhutanese government and the “Lhotshampas” (Bhutanese inhabitants of Nepalese descent) increased more and more. Fear and persecution led many Lhotshampas to flee to Nepal. In the early 1990s, the bank of the Maidhar River in eastern Nepal was temporarily occupied by thousands of refugees from Bhutan seeking asylum in Nepal. 

The Bhutanese families were unable to return home and subsequently settled in third countries such as the US, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Europe. There used to be seven refugee camps, but today there are only two: Beldangi in the Jhapa district and Sanischare in the Morang district. There are currently 6,809 refugees in the two remaining camps and the total number of resettled refugees is 1.12.966. Caritas Nepal continues to provide services to ensure refugee children’s right to education. 

Approach (Strategies)
Caritas Nepal was the first organization to provide the refugees with food and supplies. Later, when many other institutions also provided funds to meet basic needs, Caritas Nepal focused on the education program for refugee children from Bhutan.  

Refugee children have been taught in the camps since 1991. Since 1993, there has been a formal program for the primary education of refugee children. In the course of this, donations were also collected in order to finance a secondary education. These activities continue until today. 

Given the declining population of the camp and successful resettlements, Caritas’s strategy is to find a permanent alternative solution to guarantee access to education for refugee children. In the future, public and private schools will expectedly take over the education of the children. 

Achievements

• A total of 1302 refugee children were formally taught in the camps.
• Almost 50% of the students who dropped out of school during the project period returned to school within three months.
• In the school year 2018/2019, an average of 80% of refugee children passed their class.
• 851 refugee children and 770 students from public host schools have access to computer learning programs.
• 48 participants learned basic skills in teaching children how to use computers and how to use them in the classroom.
• In the reporting period, around 200 students were relocated.
• 851 users benefited from solar-powered Internet facilities.
• 32 disabled children are provided with special support in the camp schools.

Goal: Earthquake affected households are living safe and dignified lives.

Period: January 2016 to June 2019.

Nepal Earthquake Recovery Programme (NERP) is enabling earthquake affected 9409 households (46,640/- people) to realize a holistic recovery. Social and economic recovery services in shelter, WASH, livelihood, DRR, social protection and psychosocial support have been provided to the households affected by the major earthquakes of 2015.

Documents for Download:

• Nepal Earthquake Recovery Programme (NERP) 2018 – Achievements, Good Practices and Case Studies
• Caritas Earthquake Recovery Efforts 2 Years On – Experiences of Caritas Internationalis member organisations in Nepal

Goal
To restore and strengthen the resilience of people affected by the earthquake. 

Duration
January 2018 to December 2019 

Location
Sindhupalchowk 

Beneficiaries Outreach
2415 marginalized ethnic, 398 socially excluded and 1312 in general  

Funding Partner 
Caritas Germany  

Implementing Partner
Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee (JGSS) 

The Situation (Background)
The devastating earthquake of 2015 caused enormous damage throughout the country. Sindhupalchowk, however, is one of the worst affected districts. 

Approach (Strategies) 

The main areas of intervention for this project are:  

• The organization of communities through the formation of committees and groups responsible for restoration and reconstruction.
• Imparting better technologies for reconstruction, e.g. municipal infrastructures such as irrigation systems.
• Raising awareness of DRR and mobilizing communities to improve resilience.
• Coordinate with local government to do activities in a synergistic way.
• Maintenance, repair and construction of irrigation canals, ponds and water supply systems.
• Seasonal and extra-seasonal training on vegetable farming strategies, advanced equipment for traditional blacksmithing, commercial beekeeping, hygiene practices and sanitation.
• Construction of earthquake-proof houses.
• Measures to reduce danger e.g. construction of a gabion wall in the disaster area.
• Disaster preparedness activities e.g. Training at community level.

Achievements 

Livelihood 

• In Syaule, Batase and Sympal Kavre, 4 irrigation channels and 1 irrigation pond were repaired and built.
• 241 households can irrigate 698 Ropani (87.75 acres).
• 290 beneficiaries from 14 agricultural groups received support in sowing, germination, pest control, etc. through training and education.
• 14 agricultural savings groups, received training on financial accounting and record keeping.
• Thirty-seven beneficiaries received a one-day orientation on poultry farming.
• 14 beneficiaries were trained in modern blacksmithing and received additional support in the purchase of new equipment.
• 15 beneficiaries have received commercial beekeeper training and equipment support.

WASH

• 45 child-friendly taps, 6 inlets, 7 storage tanks, 3 collection chambers, 3227 meter long main pipelines and 8930 meter long distribution pipelines were built.
• 276 households now have access to clean drinking water.
• 2859 people benefited from activities to promote hygiene such as celebrating World Water Day, Environment Day and Day of Menstrual Hygiene, Nursing Week, and the Global Day of Hand Washing. In addition, awareness raising programs on hygiene have been carried out in parent groups and extracurricular activities.
• 20 beneficiaries were trained on the operation and maintenance of water supplies.

DDR

• 105 participants from 5 schools followed the School Disaster Risk Management Plan.
• 2624 households were rebuilt through technical assistance to support the national objective of safe housing reconstruction in earthquake-affected areas.
• 696 people have seen the street drama about the reconstruction of safe houses.
• 21 participants were trained on Vulnerability Capacity Assessment (VCA).
• The SDMP follow-up meeting was completed in 7 schools.

Goal: Improve the living standard and reduce vulnerability of the poorest of the poor and revive their livelihoods through improved irrigation canal, vocational training, introduce the modern technology, local infrastructure including WASH facility.

Location: Nuwakot, (Tadi ward no 4, Kispang ward 2 and 5)

Period: July 2018 to June 2020

Outreach: 758

The Project entitled Strengthening people action for WASH and Sustainable Livelihood in Nuwakot.”(1-AS-NPL-0000007542 ) is two years Project funded by Caritas Espanola which has aimed to improve the living standard and to reduce vulnerability of the poorest of the poor and revived their livelihoods through improved irrigation canal, vocational training, introduce to modern technology, local infrastructure including WASH facility.

The specific objectives of the project are:

• To increase livelihood opportunities by enhancing economic status of poorest of the poor
• To enhance production diversification and marketing of crop and livestock
• To provide pure water supply and hygiene promotion

The project has designed to reduce the poverty and increase the food security of targeted families  where precipitation deficits, decreasing soil fertility, water source dry up and rudimentary capacity problems are becoming significant threats to agricultural production and productivity and the primary beneficiaries of the project are poorest of the poor i.e. food insecurity especially earthquake affected households, child and female headed households, socially back warded household, disabled and elderly persons, ethnic minorities, micro enterprises families and poor households who are prone to vulnerability.

Goal: Rebuild completely damaged and most vulnerable households through enhanced capacity of vulnerable individual, household and community to strengthen, protect and access resources and enable recovery from the current disaster and enhance preparedness and response mechanisms to absorb in the future.

Location: Gulariya Municipality, 1,3,4,5,8,10 and 12, Bardiya

Period: March 2018 to October 2018

Caritas Nepal, through its regional office Kohalpur, Banke, has successfully completed the project “Disaster Recovery and Resilience Development for the Vulnerable Flood Affected Population in Bardiya district”. The project has been implemented in the co-partnership modalities with the financial and technical support of World Renew.

2107 families of Bardia were displaced after the massive flood occurred on August 2017.  During the flood, Caritas Nepal distributed the relief items relief support. As the affected families could not rebuild their houses and were staying in temporary shelters. World Renew and Caritas Nepal took the initiation to rebuild the disaster resistant houses of 103 completely damaged houses which is now regarded as the “Demo Village (Namuna Basti)”.

Goal: To support the partner organization in strengthening capacities at strategic and operational level in Humanitarian action

Location: Jhapa, Udaypur, Mohottari, Dhanusha, Saptari, Chitwan, Sindhupalchowk, Sindhuli, Rupendehi, Kapilvastu, Dang, Pyuthan, Banke, Mugu/Jumla, Kanchanpur and Doti

European Asian Partnership for Building Capacities in Humanitarian Action (PEACH) is a EU funded project of Caritas Organizations’ consortium of EU-Asia. Caritas Consortium consists of 10 Caritas member organizations led by Caritas Austria, two more organizations from Europe (Caritas Czech Republic & Caritas Romania) and seven from Asia (CN, Caritas India, Caritas Pakistan Caritas Myanmar, Caritas Philippines, Caritas Bangladesh and Caritas Asia).

Issues covered by capacity building training provided: Basic Principle and Standards in Humanitarian Aid: Humanitarian service delivery using CI Guideline / Tool Kit; Cash transfer in times of emergency; Volunteer Management; Needs Assessment for emergency response.

Goal: Earthquake affected households in Gorkha Municipality re-build their lives and are more resilient to disasters.

Location: Gorkha Municipality (all 1-15 wards) People reached: 6,789

Period: October 2017 to September 2019

The 2015 earthquake epicenter Gorkha was devastated with all the possible losses i.e. with hundreds of casualties and with millions of worth of physical damage. The district faced scarcity of everything, lack of cash, resources, knowledge on earthquake resistant shelter techniques, skills in WASH and livelihoods to rebuild their home, recover their livelihood needs and maintain hygiene and sanitation. All these scarcity made impossible for Gorkha to get back to normal.

During this time, at the verge of absolute nothing, Caritas initiated to rebuild lives of affected people in Gorkha. Though the beginning was difficult, however, with a clear vision and good team members, Caritas launched the project in 15 wards of Gorkha municipality to provide safe, adequate, sustainable and sanitary environment, to make access of safe drinking water, appropriate sanitation and healthy environment for the affected. Caritas Nepal is implementing earthquake recovery activities in shelter, WASH and livelihood sectors at Gorkha Municipality. The project recover their livelihoods through various trainings and related support. Livelihood practices will be improved and proactive participation in and influence of recovery activities.

The objectives of the programs are:

Objective 1: Earthquake affected households are living in safe and adequate earthquake resistant shelters.

Objective 2: To ensure that the earthquake affected households are using appropriate WASH facilities, Caritas Nepal repaired or constructed drinking water supply systems, oriented and mobilized people to improve hygiene and sanitation situation at the household and community levels.

Objective 3: To ensure increased livelihood security for the people affected by the earthquake.

Objective 4: To ensure earthquake affected communities have access to safe, dignified and accessible Programmes that increase their physical and mental well-being.

Objective 5: To increase resilience of earthquake affected communities to disaster risks.

The programme is being implemented in 16 ward locations as per the new Municipality or Rural Municipality structure. These locations are in 4 of the 14 most earthquake affected districts of Nepal.

Locations (District and villages):

1. Dolakha district – Bigu 2 (Orang), Bigu 3 (Bulung), Sailung 6 & 7;
2. Sindhupalchowk district – Sunkoshi 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 (Kalika, Thokarpa, Yamunadanda, Sunkhani);
3. Kavrepalanchowk district – Panauti-11 (Balthali), Mandandeupur-10 (Chandenimandan), Chaurideurali 1, 2, 3;
4. Sindhuli – Golanzer – 6 (Baseswar) and Hariharpur Gadhi -1. Th is programme is supported by CI and consortium of partners (Caritas Organizations and other catholic organizations).

Goal: Provide relief to address immediate life-saving needs of flood and landslide-affected men, women, and children.

Location: 36 wards of 13 Municipality/Rural Municipality in 7 Districts

Period: July 2017 to November 2017

Due to the continuous heavy rainfall in many parts of Nepal in June to August period of 2017, 35 out of 75 districts of Nepal were affected by landslides and/or floods. 1.7 million people were reported to be affected (Reliefweb – August, 2017). Caritas Nepal provided emergency relief to the affected people.

The relief assistance has helped the floods and landslides affected people to meet their immediate lifesaving need. However, there is an urgent need of recovery activities especially Livelihood, resettlement and reconstruction of shelter for the safe return of the affected population to normality.

Document for Download: Nepal Flood Response and Early Recovery Programme (NFRER) 2017-2018 – Good Practices and Stories of Change

Goal: Contribute to the recovery of flood-affected families to live a dignified life and enhance their resilience.

Locations: Saptari, Nawalparash, Bardiya, Banke, Jhapa, Sunsari, and Dhanusha; 48 Wards of 8 Rural Municipalities , 4 Municipalities and 1 Sub Metropolitan Location.

Period: November 2017 to October 2018

The heavy rainfall in many parts of the country in early Monsoon period of 2017 resulted in more than 1.7 million people being affected by flood and landslide. Caritas Nepal first undertook relief operations and later supported the recovery activities with the support of Caritas Internationalis.

With the objective to enhance livelihood of flood affected households, Caritas Nepal conducted various livelihood related training and support activities (such as livestock trainings, agricultural input supports, and cash for work activities). Additional activities included disinfection of hand-pumps, hygiene awareness, and health camps to ensure good health of the people affected by the disaster.

Goal: To help the Nepali people who have returned from Europe to be reintegrated in Nepal and pursue a dignified life.

Period: April 2017 to March 2020

Europe has been a destination of choice for many Nepalese seeking economic opportunities and a better life. The main push factor for migration from Nepal is due to lack of employment opportunities in Nepal. The European Union and national governments of European countries have put in place strong policies and measures to prevent illegal migrants to stay and work in their countries. Migration for economic purposes is strongly discouraged.

Still there are many Nepalese who have ended up in Europe in one way or other. From 2007 onwards, Caritas Internationalist and European Union have been helping these people to return to Nepal voluntarily and be re-integrated here with the STAVR project. Those who have returned are provided counseling, guidance and fund support for income generation (based on business plans), and linkage support for reconciliation with family by Caritas Nepal. Each returnee is monitored by Caritas Nepal for some time and guided to be effectively reintegrated.