IRC began work in Nepal in late 2005, assisting displaced and other conflict-affected communities in the Mid West region. We have rapidly built up a robust field presence in the region, with field offices in Surkhet and Bardiya (Mid West) and Ilam (East) acting as hubs for the delivery of integrated programs targeted at assisting in the demobilization and reintegration for former child combatants, delivering quick-impact inputs to IDP and conflict-affected households, improving field data-gathering and information analysis capacity on displacement and return, building local capacity for child protection, strengthening local education services, and reestablishing primary healthcare. IRC is a lead agency in the CAAFAG working group headed by UNICEF and has been instrumental in the training of members as they begin their DDR programs with recently demobilized children. IRC is responsible for two of the seven cantonment sites operating interim care facilities and providing reintegration services for children formerly associated with fighting forces. We retain an emergency response capacity for rapid response to communities affected by natural disasters in the areas we work (such as the recent floods) or to conflict dynamics in Nepal’s volatile environment. And we will continue collecting data to inform future programming, such as gender-based violence in collaboration UNFPA and OHCHR.
As the new peace agreement provides a platform for peace and stability, IRC is keen to implement programs that address sustainable return, reintegration and development. To achieve this, IRC incorporates into all its programs a grassroots level exchange of information, expertise and experience among communities, local partners and other stakeholders. Through this approach, communities are empowered to have a significant voice on what interventions are most appropriate to address their priority needs. Key stakeholders, such as Community Working Groups, School Committees, Local Health Committees, local NGOs and government authorities can promote learning, strengthen capacity, and create an institutional memory that will benefit conflict-affected communities over the long-term.
IRC’s programs in Nepal work to achieve Durable Solutions for our communities, and are grounded in the five guiding principles of Protection and Promotion of Human Rights, Participation, Capacity Building, Partnership and Holistic Programming.
In Fiscal Year 2007, IRC Nepal is implementing programs with a total budget of nearly US$ 2.4 million. Funding is provided by the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO), Stichting Vluchteling (SV), Amnesty International, US Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA), UNICEF, Chemonics and private foundations.
OFFICES
Our programs are implemented from four offices in Kathmandu, Surkhet, Bardiya and Ilam. We currently have approximately 75 employees.
CONTACTS
Christina Munzer
Country Director
+977 1 5522 409 (tel)
+977 1 5525 744 (fax)
Christina.Munzer@theIRC.org
Aidan Goldsmith
Program Coordinator
+977 985 101 4024 (mobile)
Aidan.Goldsmith@theIRC.org
