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Poor, marginalised
and socially excluded people in Nepal are still facing several challenges in ensuring
secure livelihoods (SL), basic services (BS) and social protection (SP) because
of the post-conflict political uncertainties and associated complications. This
paper examines theses challenges in post-conflict Nepal and argues for a paradigm
shift in the current system of providing livelihoods, basic services and social
protection for the future of a stable and sustainable Nepal. The paper, on the
one hand, generates information about the existing situation; on the other, it
predicts future challenges and opportunities.
The paper, which
is an outcome of ongoing research in Nepal under the Secure Livelihoods Research Consortium, uses
the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) as basis for envisioning the
future of the country in general and livelihoods, basic services and social
protection specifically.
It is argued
that despite various interventions by the Government and international actors
in Nepal, there is inadequate empirical verification on positive impacts of
these interventions on the lives of people (Upreti et al. 2012). It also states
that state-driven policies in the area of livelihood have helped people to some
extent, but the state’s capacity in responding to people’s need for livelihood
security and basic services was severely weakened by the decade long
insurgency, particularly in remote areas (Chandran et al. 2008). This paper
further discusses the supply side (framing sound policies, commitment from the
state and assigning proper institutions) and the demand side (what people
actually need – employment, rehabilitation and other forms of livelihood
support).
Getting state-people
relations right is the best way to introduce sustainable livelihoods. Hence, it
is imperative to bring sound policies, regulatory frameworks and institutional
arrangements within a good governance framework for ensuring secure
livelihoods, providing effective basic services and sound social protection to the
poor and marginalized in Nepal.
References:
Chandran, R. Jones, B. and Smith, N. 2008,
'Recovering from War: Gaps in Early Action', Report by the NYU Center on
International Cooperation for the UK Department for International Development,
NYU Center on International Cooperation, USA.
Upreti B.R. K.C. Sony, Mallett, R. and Babajanian, B.
with Pyakuryal, K. Ghimire, S. Ghimire, A. and Sharma, S.R. 2012, ‘Livelihoods,
Basic Services and Social Protection in Nepal’, Working Paper 7, Nepal Centre
for Contemporary Research and Secure Livelihood Consortium/Overseas Development
Institute.
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