Strengthening Community Resilience

“USC Nepal programs boost community confidence, involving them in every stage of the development process.” Shree Ram Shrestha Director, USC Nepal

Until very recently, the people of Nepal suffered under a long-standing civil conflict between the Royal Government and Maoist insurgents. The conflict led to more than 11,000 deaths over the past ten years, the majority of whom were neither insurgents nor government forces, but rather rural people caught in the conflict.

USC promotes community livelihoods in some of the remotest rural areas of Nepal through programs focused on sustainable agriculture, biodiversity conservation, health care, and clean water facilities. The civil conflict made work difficult, but USC Nepal managed to continue activities because of how programs are set up.

Working with Marginalized Populations
Communities themselves are in charge of managing activities and resources. That has helped them develop their ability to work together for their own development, even under such challenging circumstances.

USC Canada began working in Nepal in 1977 on child development and community health programs. Over the years, operations evolved from a program that supported the work of local NGOs, and eventually became a full-scale country program with a staff of professionals focused on supporting sustainable livelihoods in remote areas.

Rationale for USC’s work in Nepal While beautiful, Nepal’s geography is challenging. Most Nepali’s live in communities so remote they’re deprived of basic needs like food, shelter, education, and health services. The mountainous landscape and variable climate make agriculture difficult, and most are hard-pressed to grow enough food. Environmental issues like soil erosion add to the problem, causing a shortage of cultivable land. Many adults are forced to migrate to nearby cities to find work. All USC Nepal’s programs follow a self-help approach. The people identify their problems and work with USC to find solutions – managing activities themselves.

In those parts of the country where the majority lacks access to basic social services, USC Nepal found it could best work with the most marginalized and disadvantaged populations. USC Canada has nationalized its operations in Nepal, and now USC Nepal is an independent, Nepali NGO.

Program Components
The Nepal program focuses on a few major sectors: ecological agriculture, environmental conservation, basic infrastructure, livestock improvement, seeds conservation, savings and credit, drinking water, health and sanitation, and education. Some of the activities include:

• Promoting sustainable agriculture and ecological/organic farming
• Building irrigation and clean water facilities
• Conserving biodiversity
• Promoting reforestation
• Organizing savings and credit groups
• Establishing small, remote health posts
• Promoting sanitation facilities
• Building and supporting local schools and non-formal education services
  

USC Nepal carries out integrated rural development programs in three regions: Humla, Rasuwa and Sindhuli. Sindhuli is a mid-hills area, while Humla and Rasuwa are located in the Himalayas on the border with China.