JuRI Nepal in partnership with Feminist Dalit Organization (FEDO) is implementing project called “Pathways from trauma to empowerment, fostering social norms through story-telling and collective mobilization” in ten local government units[1] of Sudurpachhim and Karnali Provinces. The project is funded by UN Women, Nepal and The Embassy of Finland.
One of the major aim of project is to enable access of essential supplies and services for women and excluded groups to meet their immediate socio-economic needs in the post COVID-19 context. The comprehensive relief package distribution was one of the major activity implemented in the year 2022. For the first phase of distribution project selected 250 women from ten LGUs. The selection criteria of targeted households were finalized in close coordination and consultation with LGUs Gender Focal Unit and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) of project areas. The selection criteria includes most vulnerable people like; single women, People with disabilities (PWDs), Dalits and most marginalized communities.
The distribution was done in June, July and August of 2022. The three months relief packages includes food and non-food items which contains Rice- Jeera Masino 90 kg (3 pack of 30 kg), Lentil (9kg), Salt (3 kg), cooking oil (6 Ltr), Cereals (3kg), Sugar (6kg) and in non-food items, Gas Stove with regulator, pipe and lighter(1 set), LPG gas cylinder (1), mobile set (1 –RYTE model R101 Flash), mobile data/recharge card (NPR. 500) Soap (18 pcs), Detergent (3kg), Dettol (3 bottle @ 60 ml each), Cotton roll (3 roll), Jeevanjal (18 pkt), Paracetamol (30 tablets) and Sanitary pads (6 pcs). Those distribution was done in monthly basis in close coordination with LGUs elected representatives and SHGs.
Among 250 women 175 were Dalits, 34 were Janjati, 38 were from BCT (Brahmin, Chhetri and Thakuri), and 3 were Muslim. Similarly 29 were single women, 18 were women with disabilities and 51 households have PWDs within the family members.
Some key reflection of the beneficiaries and stakeholders are mentioned below;
“COVID had reverse impact on community, mainly to the most marginalized. They have lost their family members, employment and income sources. Community cooperation is fragile and weak. LGUs have limited funding to address those huge needs of such groups. For those communities the relief support is always important. This support is highly appreciated, the project is well designed as per the local context. I am more than happy to welcome this project in this LGU.” Hasta Pun Mayor of Gurbhakot Municipality, Surkhet.
“I am visual impaired and 70 years old. I was abandoned by my family and living alone after death of my husband. I can’t work on my farm, the only source of my regular income is social security allowance. Sometimes I ask help from my neighbors, they support me with food and household works. Luckily, I got this comprehensive support. All items are of very good quality and will be sufficient for nearly eight months. I will do saving of my social security allowance for my health treatment. I am very happy with this support and looking similar support in near future also.” _ Nandakali Budhathoki, Lekhbeshi Municipality Ward No. 1, Surkhet.
The comprehensive relief package was a great support for my family, I was struggling to manage daily life due to regular treatment of my husband. I couldn’t go to daily wage leaving sick husband and small daughter alone in the home. My relatives are so kind enough that they are supporting for his treatment. We are using all items from in kind support. We enjoyed festivals happily, there is food items stock for few more months. – Dawarika Master from Dhangadi, Kailali.
“I have seven members in my family. I got relief package last month, all items are in good quality and the items are enough for nearly two months. I am using gas stove now and it has saved my time to collect fire woods from jungle and I can go for daily wage laborer every day. The children are very happy now to get their daily tiffin (chickpeas fry) while going to schools. Since now we are not buying food items, me and my husband’s earning from daily wage is saved. The saving will be used for children’s education and other emergencies in the future.” _ Ratnamaya Sunar, Birendranagar Municipality, ward 11 from Surkhet
[1] Dhangadi Submetro Politian City, Kailari Rural Municipality, Bhajani Municipality of Kailali district, Dipayalsilgadi Municipality, Shikhar Municipality and Badikedar RM of Doti district in Sudurpachhim Province and Birendranagar Municipality, Gurbakot Municipality, Bheriganga Municipality and Lekhbesi Municipality of Surkhet district of Karnali Province.