1. National/Political Events:
Political undercurrents are becoming strong in the country as the political leaders and others are putting pressure on the newly appointed Prime Minister to start the peace process. Meanwhile Chief of Nepal Communist Party (Maoists) Prachanda, has ruled out the possibility of immediate truce and negotiation with the government until their demand for a constituent assembly is met. In a press statement he has further alleged the government of intentionally publicizing false information in connection with the peace talks. The Ministers however have expressed their clear stance over not going to the agenda of constituent assembly election during talks with Maoists. The delay in the peace process has resulted in nothing but escalation of violence all over the country including the capital city.
During the month suspected Maoists in Kathmandu triggered several bomb explosions. Innocent civilians were killed and injured by the unexpected explosions. For the first time, Maoists abducted 40 students and 14 teachers from two schools located at the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley. The two schools were just 4 km away from an army barrack. The students and teachers were released from an undisclosed area following interaction on political affairs and rebels training. Violence in other parts of the country continued through out the month resulting in the death of 106 people including the Mayor of Dhangadhi Municipality in Kailali district. As per INSEC, the total number of people who have lost their lives in connection with the ‘People’s war’ has reached 9,996.
People living in remote districts of Nepal are facing acute shortage of food with sections of the populations on the verge of starvation due to very little rainfall last winter. Closing down of the depots of Nepal Food Corporation (NFC), the sole distributor of subsidized food grain in the district due to security concerns has added to the plight of the local people. As the saying goes misfortune does not come alone, during the month, the Maoists rebels captured three trucks belonging to the World Food Program. The trucks carried rice for the recently launched 'Food for Work' program and were en route to Achham from Nepalganj district. The present disturbance in the nation is also responsible for hampering the agricultural sector to a great extent. The skilled and semi-skilled manpower that was engaged in this sector is migrating to district headquarters and neighboring countries and places where they are safe and secure. Many places, where the commercial production of horticulture, spices and condiment crops were possible, are virtually empty. Agricultural technicians, who can bring a new and improved cultivation practices to the doors of farmers, are now confined to the district headquarters. Their useful skills and technical know-how is simply wasted. The supply of improved seeds, fertilizer and tools that are vital for agriculture is limited and like many other government institutes, Agriculture Development Bank Nepal (ADB/N) is also confined to the district headquarters due to security reasons.
Torrential and persistent monsoon rains during the month resulted in significant damage of property and loss of lives. Twenty-two eastern and central districts, both hill and plains have been affected by the flooding and land slides. Nepal Red Cross Society reports 173 deaths and 305 injured in the `worst-ever floods and landslides’ faced by Nepal. 35 people are still missing and an estimated 62,357 families have been affected of which 28,555 families are displaced. Because of the difficulties in movement and communication the full extent of damage is not yet known, but it is estimated that the situation is far worse than actually reported. The displaced families have taken shelter at schools, and temporary huts along the highway. Some have received very nominal quantities of relief materials. 8 VDCs of Nawalparasi district were particularly affected by the flood, since water flow was impeded by blocked canal and the link dam constructed by India. After a meeting was held between the officials of India and Nepal, a decision was made whereby India agreed to keep the sluice gates of the Laxmanpur barrage open to prevent flooding of the VDCs.
During the month gastroenteritis spread in 23 districts nationwide killing 68 and infecting 11,597 people. A total of 4,200 people were affected by the disease in the capital alone as per the Department of Health. Achham and Kalilali districts in the west were worse hit by the disease. The health posts and district hospitals were not able to combat the disease successfully due to the lack of medicines and health workers in the area.
A large group of more than one thousand freed Kamaiyas (bonded laborers) forcibly seized the Tikapur Airport in Banke District in an act to put pressure on the government to fulfill its promise of providing land to the freed Kamaiyas. The Kamaiyas chanted slogans like ‘We need 10 Katthas of land”, “No discrimination to red and blue cards” and “Community forests needed for freed Kamaiyas’. They threatened that they would further capture other government land if their demands were not met within the given time. A group of Kamaiyas who arrived in Kathmandu from various districts, submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister demanding the rehabilitation of freed Kamaiyas. Despite one billion rupees spent by the government and NGOs for Kamaiya rehabilitation and empowerment, more than half of the freed Kamaiyas are yet to be rehabilitated. The freed Kamaiyas number 35,721 out of which 32,932 have been registered. 11,999 have received the land allotted while 1,442 freed Kamaiyas have not received the land though they have received the land allotment paper from the government. 5,006 families have received the 5 katthas (app. 0.3 hectares) of land while 6,568 families have received the land, which is less than 5 khattas. 1,244 families have received the land, which is not fit for agricultural activities. So far 8,039 families have received Rs. 10,000 (USD 135) from the government to build the house. 374 families of freed Kamaiyas have been able to construct houses with financial support from LWF Nepal.
According to an article posted on Kuenselonline, members of the Bhutan National Assembly have charged as many as 2,000 Bhutanese refugees living in the refugee camps of joining the Maoists rebels. According to the report, some members expressed concern regarding possible threats from the refugees turned Maoists. While one of the member ‘Bumthang Chimi’ opined that as the people in the camps were linked with the Maoist rebels in Nepal, there was no benefit in conducting verification. Another member (Dagana chimi) opined that the government of Nepal should formally accept, in writing, the full responsibility for the safety and well being of the Bhutanese officials before re-starting the verification work. Meanwhile Prime Minister Deuba after his arrival from BIMST-EC summit in Bangkok has said that Bhutan has agreed to resume dialogue/ negotiations on the repatriation process of Bhutanese refugees after completion of some technicalities. Meanwhile, Misko Mimika, chief of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) office in Damak opined that the government of Nepal needs to issue work permits to the refugees in order to make them self-reliant. However, intellectuals in Jhapa and Morang districts are of the opinion that issuance of work permits to the refugees would affect unemployed Nepalese living in the area.
Ms. Janet Lim has been appointed as UNHCR’s new Director for the Regional Bureau for Asia and the pacific, effective from Sept. 1 2004.
2. Programme Overview
The WRC co-ordination unit has been established in Napalgunj district and will be responsible for monitoring the activities of the partner organizations in the west including the two new partners viz. YES Nepal and SEBAC. The handover process of the Doti and Kailali projects has been completed in a amicable manner. No major disturbances were faced during the month and the activities of other partner organizations are going on smoothly. KPUS was mainly involved in lobbying for the rehabilitation of the freed Kamiayas while NNDSWO in the west was involved in the ‘Haliya’ survey and also in filing cases on behalf of Haliyas. It is felt that more Haliyas are coming out in the open to claim their rightful wages. The use of media as advocacy tools continued throughout the month. Organization Development co-ordinator attended the HIV/AIDS conference in Bangkok and also in the national level follow-up meetings on the same. Training programmes on ‘Do No Harm was organized’ during the month and more training programs are scheduled to be organized in the forthcoming month.
3. Development Programmes (Nepal Development Programme)
3.1. Western Region
The situation in the west has not improved much. Incidents of abductions, cross firings, murder, ambushes, blockades and explosions are on the rise. Maoists’ demand for the registration of the I(NGOS) continues. In a notice placed at the entry point of the Sanagaun VDC in Achham district, Maoists have specifically mentioned that no I(NGO) should enter the VDC until and unless it is registered with the Maoists organization.
LWF Nepal completed the handover of the empowerment programs at Doti and Kailali to two new partner NGOs viz. SEBAC and Yes Nepal. WRC unit in Banke district has been established and will be headed by the WRC Manager. The unit will mainly be responsible for facilitating coordination and monitoring of the partners in the west. The construction of the building of the orphanage in Kailali district, which provides shelter to the children who have lost their parents due to the conflict is near completion. The orphanage at presents provides shelter to 59 children and the new building is expected to accommodate 30. The construction of the school building at Mangalsen in Achham district with some financial support from LWF Nepal has also been completed. Construction of the building of a school at Gadariya VDC is also near completion.
During the month a review of the programs implemented by various partner organizations in the first half of the year was carried out by WRC unit. The work plan for the rest of the year was reviewed and changes were made accordingly. Likewise the staff members of the partner organizations were involved in the evaluation of the programs implemented by various CBOs and groups and also provided assistance in implementing the plan. A total of 136 groups were monitored and assemblies of 26 groups were completed in Kailali district during the month. Public audit of 3-school buildings were also carried out in Fulbari and Urma VDCs. Partner organizations were also involved in the district level coordination meetings. Such coordination meetings help to avoid duplication of activities undertaken by government and other development agencies.
Regular activities related to semi-commercial vegetable production and livestock rearing are going on smoothly. 24 goats and 25 pigs were distributed to the farmers at Kailali district by CEAPRED (implementing partner). 27 farmers participated in a training programme on 'Pig rearing'. Livestock technicians from CEAPRED have been providing necessary services to the livestock distributed. In addition veterinary medicines and related instruments were distributed to the livestock raising groups. An irrigation canal, which is undergoing construction, is also near completion. Sahakarmi Samaj (implementing partner) in Banke district organized a 2-day training programme on 'Book keeping' for the members of the CBOs so that the members learn to manage their own accounts. As per the plan CEAPRED will be providing services to the CBOs and groups in Banke district to initiate livelihood activities related to agriculture and livestock rearing. CEAPRED in Banke was thus mainly involved in the coordination meetings with the groups and CBOs and other stakeholders during the month.
3.2. Central Region
CEAPRED (implementing partner) carried out its regular activities of distribution of seeds for kitchen gardening and livestock to the members of the groups during the month. This month 15 chicks and 3 piglets and one duck were distributed in Lalitpur district. Training programme on ‘Nursery management’ and 'Marketing management’ were organized by CEAPRED for the members of groups involved in kitchen gardening. A coordination meeting of the related agencies in Lalitpur district was organized during the month to discuss on the issues related to the problems faced by the groups producing semi-commercial vegetables and raising livestock. The officials from District Agriculture Department gave their suggestions on how the resources of the government at the district level can be utilized to solve the problems. The possibilities of undertaking ‘organic farming’ and providing the training on ‘Animal health’ to the members of the groups were also discussed at the meeting.
A training program on ‘Nursery Management’ was organized for 28 participants from Lalitpur district. The participants learnt about the methods of preparing nursery bed, sowing seeds and managing excess rainwater by using plastic sheets. The training will help the farmers to grow high quality saplings of seasonal/ off-seasonal vegetables thereby reducing the dependency on CEAPRED for seeds.
Galkot Community Development Centre (GCDC) former implementing partner in Baglung district- a phased-out project location of LWF has submitted a proposal to produce a ‘Musical cassette and CD on Inter-caste‘ with the view to dissuade vile behaviour (including caste based violence) towards those who have been married to a different caste. It is proposed that revenue generated from the sales of the ‘Musical cassette’ will be utilized for other social activities.
3.3. Eastern Region
Implementing partners, WDA Garamuni and WDA Salakpur have been implementing the empowerment programs as scheduled. WDA Garamuni through the local CBO supported the groups to install water supply system in the VDCs. The organization will be providing assistance in constructing a school building and latrines for the school. As per the plan for the first half of the year, all the activities have been completed except for some, which could not be completed due to the strikes installation. The amount remaining after the reallocation of the budget will therefore be reallocated for activities in other areas. Also, the budget for the next six months has been revised. Both organizations participated in the meetings of the groups.
DEPROSC (implementing partner of micro-credit program) carried out regular activities related to savings and credit as planned. The organization has been forming new groups and providing training programs on ‘Micro Finance’ to the members of the groups.
4. Relief and Rehabilitation
4.1. Bhutanese Refugee Project (BRP)
The care and maintenance program in all the seven refugee camps is running smoothly. UNHCR and LWF Nepal has signed the agreement for care and maintenance activities of the refugee camps for the period August-December 2004. Subsequently, LWF has started the procurement process for supplying the repair materials for post monsoon activities. Staff members of LWF Nepal and its partner organization participated in the ‘Do No harm’ training organized during the month.
Activities related to community service and children forum programs as well as social awareness programs continued throughout the month. Programs being implemented by BRAVVE (implementing refugee organization) have resumed after an agreement was renewed with AUSTCare. In the past six months BRAVVE was mainly involved in conducting training programs on ‘Basic Tailoring’, ‘Embroidery’ and ‘Alphabet Art writing (Creative banner making) in the refugee camps. 120 refugees (Male 8, Female 112) participated in the programs organized by BRAAVE in the last six months. LWF was also involved in organizing other skill development training for the refugees.
A hostile environment has been created in the areas surrounding the Beldangi II refugee camp following an escalation of unpleasant confrontation amongst some refugees and the locals. The incident took place when some refugees were caught stealing log from the forest. The situation turned violent as the refugees beat up of the Chairman of the local forest user’s committee. The locals demonstrated against the refugees and have demanded that the refugees be confined to the camp. District Administration Office in Jhapa has thus restricted the movement of the refugees in Beldangi. The refugees living in the camp have to acquire permission while moving in and out of the camp. As per the reports, the step has been taken to check the increasing number of illegal activities in the refugee camp.
4.2. Refugee Affected Rehabilitation Project (RARP)
More than 1,200 people from Jhapa and Morang districts (including those from host communities) were affected by the heavy rain and flooding during the month. Due to the heavy monsoon rain, 30 families in the district have been displaced. The constructions of school building and latrines have been delayed due to the incessant rainfall.
4.3. Disaster Preparedness
Members of Rapid Assessment Team of LWF Nepal were engaged in collecting the first hand information related to the damage and loss of lives and property due to flood in four flood affected districts viz. Mahottari, Saptari, Siraha and Dhanusa of Nepal.
LWF Nepal issued alert on 12 July 2004 and another one to assist some 6,000 families of Makwanpur, Rauthat, Mahattori and Dhanusa districts.
Major activities related to the Community Based Disaster Preparedness during the month of July includes:
- Two-day long CBDP refresher training was organised at Kerkha VDC of Jhapa district. 25 people participated in the training.
- Two-day long CBDP refresher training was organised at Sanischare VDC of Morang district. 25 people participated in the training.
- Three-day long CBDP training was organised at Salakpur in Jhapa district. Representatives from 18 groups participated in the programme.
- Janasewa Disaster Management Committee of Lakhanpur Jhapa planted rowing tree saplings in the bank of Ratuwa River. The DMC has plans of constructing and repairing some spurs in Ratuwa River, which were damaged, by the flood.
4.4. Gender Sensitive HIV/AIDS
STEP Nepal (implementing partner) organized several meetings and refresher training programs for the peer educators in Lalitpur district to ensure that the peer educators have sufficient understanding and skills to deal with the issues related to HIV/AIDS. The organization participated in the VDC and DDC level networking meetings. A semi annual report of the ‘Gender Sensitive HIV/AIDS programme’ was prepared and forwarded to NCA.
AMDA Nepal and Social Awareness Development Group (SADG) have been implementing the HIV/AIDS program in refugee camps and in the areas near the camps. The agreement with AMDA has been renewed to implement activities related to HIV/AIDS in the refugee camps for the next 6 months of the year. AMDA is mainly focusing on increasing the level of awareness of the school children on issues related to HIV/AIDS. LWF organized a one-day workshop to decide on the knowledge level required by different groups of staff members of LWF and its partner organization. LWF is planning to organize a 9-day long training program on HIV/AIDS for the staff members of LWF Nepal and its partner organizations. Dr. Mariette Correa, NCA consultant during her visit to Nepal had also advised for the training program.
Organizational Development and Advocacy Co-ordinator attended the HIV/AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand.
5. Advocacy/Networking Partners
Kamaiya Pratha Unmulan Samaj (KPUS–advocacy partner) organized a programme to celebrate ‘Kamaiya liberation day’ in Dhangadhi, Kailali. The organization distributed scholarships to the deserving Kamaiya children and also 9 sets of hand pumps to the members of various groups. ‘Groups Facilitator Training’ was organized for 83 participants during the month. The organization was also involved in monitoring the groups and participated in the assemblies of the groups during the month. With the help of KPUS, 69 families have been able to receive identity cards and 11 families have been able to get the promised land from the government. KPUS participated in the joint movement of the freed Kamiayas to put pressure on the government. Along with other 13 freed Kamaiyas from 4 districts viz. Kailali, Banke, Bardiya, Chairman of KPUS arrived at Kathmandu to raise the issue of the rehabilitation of the freed Kamaiyas with the newly appointed ministers. The following are the demands put forward by the freed Kamaiyas in a petition written to the Prime Minister.
1. Provide identity card to the freed Kamaiyas who have been left out in the registration process.
2. Equal distribution of land for the freed Kamaiyas.
3. Allocation of the land as per the land allotment paper provided by the government.
4. Freed Kamaiyas living in temporary shelters should be allowed to continue living there until the government makes other arrangements.
5. Skill based income-generating employment opportunities should be provided to the freed Kamaiyas.
6. Minimum of 10 Kathhas of land should be provided to each family of the freed Kamaiya.
7. Those who have received uncultivable land should be compensated with land that is fit for agriculture.
8. Reservation for the freed Kamaiyas in the areas of higher education, overseas employment.
9. Guarantee for the security of the freed Kamaiyas in the present context where the freed Kamaiyas have been subjected to harassment by the Maoists as well as by the state.
10. Basic services such as education, health services should be provided free of cost.
11. Commission of the freed Kamaiyas should be established to speed up the process of rehabilitation.
A report on “Dalit Human Rights 2004“ published by JUP (advocacy partner) with assistance from LWF was launched amidst a programme organized. The organization is in a process of organizing training programme on UN- ICERD.
DWO (advocacy partner) continued the broadcasting of the ‘Dalit Janajagaran’ radio program through the national radio. NNDSWO (advocacy partner) also continued the media campaign against disparate treatment against individuals based on caste through the national television. The final draft of the production of the third television spot is near completion. The content will impart information that ‘Caste discrimination is punishable by the law of Nepal’. Likewise the production of the fourth commercial has been initiated. It will mainly focus on the ‘Dalits’ living in the Terai (plains) region of Nepal and will condemn the practice whereby the Dalits are forced to clear and eat the carcass of a dead animal. NNDSWO is making an effort to broadcast the television spots through other TV channels as well. NNDSWO office in the west was mainly involved in facilitating 'Haliyas' to file cases against unfair labour wages. The survey of the Haliyas was continued in the month of July as well. It is estimated that there are 10,200 families of Haliyas in the far western region of Nepal. The organization has been able to collect information about 1,520 'Haliyas'. It has been found that some 'Haliyas' have been serving their landlord for 5 generations for debt taken of amount as less as Rs. 224 (USD 3). NNDSWO also organized 3 press conferences in Kailali and Kanchanpur districts on issues related to 'caste-based violence'. Several interaction programmes on ‘Caste discrimination’ were organized in Bajura and Baitadi districts.
FEDO (Dalit advocacy partner) launched the booklet on 'Reservation policy for Dalits" in a programme organized to celebrate its 11th anniversary. Speaking at the function Mr. Tek Tamrakar, Lawyer by profession and writer of the booklet elaborated on the content of the booklet. The booklet was published by FEDO with financial assistance from LWF Nepal. 35 Dalit students from Lalitpur district received scholarship from FEDO while those who passed School Leaving Certificate Examination (Grade 10 examination) were awarded with Rs. 500.00. ‘Dalit sensitization training’ program was organized by FEDO during the month.
Peace Campaign Group (PCG) an upcoming organization working in the area of human rights is the new networking partner of LWF Nepal. LWF WRC has been playing an advisory role for this forum from its initiation. During the month PCG organized a district level orientation and introductory workshop about human rights in Doti and Kanchanpur districts in the west. The organization is making efforts in developing coordination with Maoists, security forces and other human rights organizations to collect information on the situation of human rights in the western Nepal.
6. Visitors
There were no visitors in the month of July 2004.
7. Organizational Development/ Personnel/ Administration/ Training/ Workshop
Senior Staff Meeting of the LWF staff members was held on 1-2 July 2004 at Kathmandu Co-ordination Office. Partner organizations were also invited on the second day to gear the discussion on future direction for LWF Nepal. The staff members through a group exercise provided valuable suggestions. Security issues were also discussed during the meeting. It was felt that the partner organizations were committed to continue the development programs despite current security situation.
A meeting of the Steering Committee was organized at LWF co-ordination office in Kathmandu. Dr. Prabha Basnet Member Secretary of Social Welfare Council chaired the meeting. Other members from National Planning Commission, Ministry of Women Children and Social Welfare, Ministry of Finance, Foreign Aids Coordination Division, Ministry of Local Development, National Dalit Commission and the Country Representative of LWF Nepal including other invitees were present at the meeting.
LWF Nepal has officially handed over the Empowerment Project Doti/Achham and Empowerment Project South Kailali to local NGOs viz. SEBAC Nepal and YES Nepal. LWF staff members who were involved in the projects have joined the two NGOs. LWF country Representative, Finance & Administration Coordinator and Western Region Centre Manager were present at a meeting organized to settle the concerns raised by the staff members regarding the handover of the project. All the queries were settled amicably.
An independent consultant was hired to carry out the assessment and review of the Bhutanese Refugee Affected Areas Rehabilitation Programme in Jhapa and Morang districts and a draft report was received for the same.
The recruitment and selection of Deputy Coordinator (Development) for LWF Nepal Eastern Region Centre has been completed. She joined the office effective from July 26, 2004.
Organizational Development and Advocacy Coordinator attended the conference on HIV/AIDS at Bangkok, Thailand.
An orientation program on ‘DO NO HARM’ was organized for the staff members of LWF Nepal and its partner organization at Jhapa. 48 participants attended the orientation program.
8. Plan for the forthcoming month
In the forthcoming month, an orientation program on ‘DO NO HARM’ will be conducted at Kailali district and Kathmandu. A 9-day long HIV/AIDS training will also be organized from 22nd to 30th of August 04 in Kathmandu. Likewise, orientation programme on ‘Gender policy’ and on ‘Gender Assessment Tool’ and on ‘Monitoring’ will also be organized next month. Activities related to the monitoring of the partners will continue in the next month as well. NNDSWO in Kathmandu will finalize the television spot in the forthcoming month while NNDSWO–west will work towards the compilation of the survey of the Haliyas and will also be involved in organizing several interaction programs in the districts in the west. CEAPRED is planning to organize training programs on ‘Goat raising’ and ‘Off-seasonal vegetable production’ for the farmers. CSSD in Kailali will organize training programs for the facilitators and will also facilitate the CBOs for the distribution of the scholarship and also for public audit of the activities undertaken during the last six months. A progress report on ‘Empowerment Project South Kailali’ will be completed the forthcoming month.