Livelihood Promotion for Earthquake Affected Population in Nepal - Punarnirman

The Nepal earthquake on April 25 2015 and the subsequent major aftershock on May 12 2015 caused severe devastation to homes livelihoods and private and public properties including considerable damage to the sanitation infrastructure. The Government of Nepal and many agencies addressed immediate needs but agriculture is still severely affected pushing the sector into further crisis resulting in low production and abandoning of farms. Through the provision of livelihoods this project aims to improve the quality of life of the earthquake-affected communities particularly the most vulnerable populations in the Sindhupalchowk Kavrepalanchwok and Lalitpur districts. The objectives of the initiative are to build capacities and close existing gaps on both the demand and supply sides in different spheres of economic activities. Project activities include: (1) building capacity and promoting environment friendly and gender sensitive agriculture and dairy production techniques; (2) increasing the employability of working age adults through better awareness of skills that are in demand and training them within skills development institutions; and (3) facilitating the development of micro small and medium enterprises led by vulnerable women groups targeting economic opportunities in agriculture livestock poultry and other non-farm sectors.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased skills and knowledge of affected women and men including marginalized groups in rural communities to engage in diversified and sustainable agricultural and livestock based economic activities; (2) Increased ability of communities to minimize the adverse impact of disasters on their well-being and livelihood; and (3) increased access to business and services that address the needs of micro small and medium enterprise especially those led by women including marginalized groups in affected areas.