KATHMANDU, July 17

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, in collaboration with the National Planning Commission, on Friday launched the ‘Strategic Framework for Resilient Livelihoods in Earthquake Affected Areas of Nepal’.

Written by 18 lead and contributing authors and reviewed by four senior scientists and policymakers, the framework explores a range of strategic choices and options for developing resilient livelihoods in the aftermath of the earthquake Nepal experienced on April 25.

According to a press release issued by ICIMOD, the earthquake and its subsequent aftershocks have had huge impacts in the country. The official death toll is now close to 9,000, with 23,000 injured, more than 785,000 houses damaged or destroyed, and about 2.8 million people displaced. The total value of the damage and loss caused by the earthquake is estimated to be $7 billion, which is equivalent to about a third of Nepal’s Gross Domestic Product. The total loss in the agriculture sector, the main source of livelihood in most earthquake-affected areas, is estimated to be around Rs 28.4 billion. The earthquake has affected the overall economic situation in the production and service sectors, such as agriculture, livestock, tourism, trade, and industry.

The framework offers a roadmap to restore, revive and revitalise livelihoods and the country’s economy. It argues that recovery of livelihoods must be the top priority in the reconstruction process. It states that a long-term strategy for the transition from reconstruction and restoration to sustainable livelihoods that are more resilient to future disasters is needed.

Launching the framework, Govind Raj Pokhrel, NPC Vice-Chair, said a livelihood recovery strategy must not only address the damage caused by the earthquake, but also must help build resilient communities.

“This framework will be beneficial to the Government of Nepal, the private sectors and other development agencies in streamlining development efforts in the process of rebuilding,” he said, adding, “We are pleased to work with ICIMOD on the development of the livelihood recovery strategy. The government thanks the centre for its immediate support to the national rescue and relief operations in the aftermath of the earthquake.”

David Molden, Director General of ICIMOD, said the framework has been prepared to provide insights into how to restore, revive and revitalise livelihoods focusing on the various socio-economic challenges towards a strategic framework for designing and implementing actions, particularly those in the hills and mountain areas. “This paper aims to complement the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment of the government by providing insights into the livelihood dimensions of the earthquake and its socio-economic and livelihood impacts,” he said.

ICIMOD, NPC strategy

• Creating and enabling policy of institutional environment

• Engaging and coordinating diverse stakeholders

• Strengthening the skills and capacity of affected people

• Tapping the potential of internal and external job markets

• Facilitating structural transformation from low to high productivity sectors

• Ensuring gender equality and social inclusion by integrating women and marginalised groups

• Promoting community empowerment

• Integrating ecosystem and biodiversity conservation into the livelihood recovery process

• Revitalising farming and tourism

• Revitalising micro, small, and medium enterprises