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KIRDARC shares news of its work in Nepal

08.02.2016

The 2015 Quarterly Reflection edition of the electronic newsletter of the Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC) opens with a story about an “umbrella rally” that KIRDARC hosted in Nepal. During the event, organized to mark Global Divestment Day, young people held open umbrellas to symbolize that the people in mountainous countries, including Nepal, are not prioritizing solar energy enough. More than 500 youth activists participated in the rally demanding a greater shift from fossil fuel to renewal energy—wind mills and solar energy. They rallied around slogan of “Snow Melting Mountains are drying, rich people are getting richer, poor people are crying”.  Meanwhile more than 500 such rallies were held in more than 50 countries spanning six continents across the globe to mark Global Divestment Day.

The newsletter also includes a story about relief support distribution after the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015. KIRDARC mobilized an emergency response team and worked to address the situation while engaging in an emergency relief support including coordination, fundraising, logistic and field support.  

The issue reports on a National Level Karnali Kachahari, held on 26 March on Economic Growth of the Mountain People: Promoting Rights and Fair Development and reveals how KIRDARC Nepal celebrated World Water Day. Events were held in five districts of Karnali Zone ( Jumla, Kalikot, Mugu, Humla and Dolpa) with the aim to highlight the specific aspect of quality water for drinking. Despite of lack of water, remote and marginalized communities of Karnali Zone are deprived of quality drinking water, too, the newsletter says.

KIRDACK also organized jointly with the Association of Family Forest Owners Nepal (AFFON) a national level meeting to discuss the issues and challenges related to forest governance and the existing policies with different stakeholders.

Stories appear about the celebration of International Women Day and National Children's Day; disaster preparedness training for earthquake-affected areas; the establishment of more than 170 temporary learning centres and a mobile Child Friendly Space (CFS) project.

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Photo: KIRDARC