Nepal
Nepal is among the poorest nations in the world, with around one-third of its population living below the poverty line.
The agriculture-driven economy has experienced some growth in recent years, but the country’s remote, landlocked location and vulnerability to natural disasters have restricted progress. Floods and landslides in recent years have destroyed homes and livelihoods, and rapid political changes have increased the sense of instability.
ActionAid in Nepal
"It was hard at first. No one would listen to me. They did not feel it was possible that we could be equal because we are scorned for our livelihoods."
ActionAid began operating in Nepal in 1982, where we now work with 357,000 people.
Key focus areas for ActionAid Nepal are education, food security and women's rights.
We currently work in 41 districts to develop long-term solutions to the problems that keep people trapped in poverty.
Challenging the caste system
The caste system is still practiced in Nepal, and much of our work is with the most vulnerable castes, mainly Dalit communities. We work to improve the amount of food Dalit families can grow, as well as setting up credit groups so people can start businesses.
"I'm illiterate so for me I’d like to learn sewing and cutting so that I can sew clothes for my family and other people."
Giving women a voice
Women bear the brunt of hunger, so we support local women's movements and adult learning via the Reflect programme.
We also work with women and small-scale farmers to lobby for land rights and food security via the HungerFREE campaign.
photo : ©Brian Sokol/ ActionAid. Photo r-hand side: İAtul Loke/Panos/ActionAid. Photo bottom r-hand side: İActionAid.
Fact file
58% of adults cannot read or write.
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