Nepal, UNDP sign country programme action plan

KATHMANDU, FEB 27:

The government and UNDP, today, signed a new Country Programme Action Plan (CPAP) 2013-17, which details UNDP’s engagement in Nepal for the next five years.

The plan will focus on efforts to reduce vulnerability of communities under threat from climate change and disaster, and on expanding energy access, while continuing its support for elections, constitution writing and income generating opportunities.

During this period, a budget of approximately $159 million will be mobilised for implementing these programmes. In the next five years, UNDP’s energy programme will benefit 25,000 rural households providing access to modern energy which has positive effects on economic growth.

Micro Enterprise Development Programme will create additional 30,000 micro entrepreneurs directly, while assisting the government to fully internalise the programme in all 75 districts that will benefit a greater number of poor.

It may be recalled that UNDP has been a trusted partner in Nepal’s development endeavours for long. UNDP’s strong emphasis in working with the government to build national capacity is appreciated by the government.

The CPAP is in line with the government’s priorities and the UN Development Assistance Framework’s (2013–2017) two key goals of advancing equality and protecting development gains. UNDP will have strong inclusion and resilience-building components across its programmes. The preparedness level of several municipalities and 75 vulnerable VDCs will be strengthened benefitting thousands of citizens.

Approximately, 46,000 climate vulnerable men and 69,000 women will receive training related to climate change adaptation measures. Because women do most of the household work, they are more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Notably, these efforts will include construction of an engineered structure at Imja Glacier Lake in the Khumbu region to reduce water levels by three metres to mitigate the threats of devastating floods.

The Disaster Risk Management programme will continue to strengthen building code compliance and mainstream disaster risk management across sectors, strengthening preparedness and emergency systems. It was signed by joint secretary of International Economic Cooperation Coordination Division, ministry of finance Madhu Kumar Marasini and country director of UNDP for Nepal Shoko Noda.

Source: THT