Introduction
Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006, Nepal has undergone a complex transition that entailed rehabilitating former combatants, supporting a participatory constitution drafting process, holding credible elections and mitigating potential conflicts. UNDP has worked closely with national institutions and other development partners to support Nepal and the Nepalese people through this transitional phase in order to overcome the challenges.
Nepal’s primary challenge over the last several years has been formulating a democratic and inclusive constitution that is acceptable to all sections of society. But, with the dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly (CA) in May 2012 without a constitution, it became imperative to re-rail the constitution drafting process through a second election for the Constituent Assembly. After much wrangling among the political parties, Nepal held successful elections for the second CA in November 2013 with a high voter turnout. UNDP’s support to electoral reform contributed to making the 2013 elections inclusive, fair and peaceful.
The rehabilitation programme for ex-combatants discharged in 2010 for being verified minors or late recruits (VLMRs) formally concluded in 2013, providing support to 2,234 ex-combatants, including 838 women.
In 2013, UNDP worked with the Ministry of Home Affairs to establish a National Centre for Security Observation (NCSO). The collaboration also led to work on a National Strategy on Arms Control and assistance to the Government of Nepal to move towards signing the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).
UNDP also supported systematic changes in national legislation, policies and institutional frameworks to strengthen justice sector coordination and effective implementation and enforcement of laws, and to improve access to justice for women and vulnerable groups.
To support evidence based planning processes, UNDP provided technical and financial support to the Central Bureau of Statistics to hold the Annual Household Surveys (AHS) so that the Government can produce key disaggregated data on labor and consumption more frequently. The first report is due in July 2014.
A major challenge for countries emerging from conflict is the absence of periodic elections. In Nepal, elections for local bodies have not been held since 2002. UNDP is working with the Government and other development partners to provide citizens forums to voice their opinions and participate in local development processes to help reduce the democratic deficits and spread ‘peace dividends’ in the absence of elected local bodies.
In partnership with the Government of Nepal and Australian Aid, UNDP’s Microenterprise Development Programme (MEDEP) has created 9,464 new micro-entrepreneurs, 68 per cent of whom were women. Our partnership with the Government resulted in over 11,965 households gaining access to electricity through 37 Micro Hydropower Plants in 2013.
To protect development gains from natural disasters, UNDP has been working with government ministries to mainstream disaster preparedness in development planning. As a result, Nepal is now better prepared to deal with disasters than it was a few years ago.
UNDP supported 68 VDCs to become disaster resilient in 2013. UNDP also supported the expansion of 20 Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs) that are designed to be nodal points for communication and coordination.
Much has been achieved in 2013, yet more remains to be done. In collaboration with the Government and development partners. In 2014, UNDP will continue to help reduce poverty by creating employment opportunities, improve standards of living by providing access to energy and promoting sustainable development, strengthen rule of law and improve governance and public service delivery by building state capacity, and reduce vulnerabilities induced by conflict, climate change and other disasters.