F OCHA Situation Overview

Issue No. 20, covering the period 01 January -31 January 2008 Kathmandu, 31 January 2008

Highlights:

• Date for Constituent Assembly Election (CA) Announced • -based groups threaten to disrupt CA Polls if their demands are not met • Seven Party Alliance hold joint rallies, prepare for CA elections • Security concerns in the Terai persist with new reports of extortion, threats and abductions • Bomb explosions reported in several parts of the country • Government rescinds Petroleum products price hike following protests • Resignations by VDC Secretaries affect the ‘reach of state’ • Humanitarian and Development actors face access challenges • WFP and Humanitarian partners host Workshop series on Humanitarianism and Crisis Management • Surveillance on Nepal borders stepped up to forestall spread of Avian Flu

CONTEXT Congress (NC) Party opposed to the creation of a federal republic. Nepal now has 30 Ministers and State Ministers. Politics and Major Developments On 11 January, the Council of Ministers (CoM) announced that On 13 January, the CPN-Maoist concluded its week-long Constituent Assembly (CA) elections will be held on 10 April. Central Committee Meeting. The CPN-Maoist confirmed the The CoM also reportedly agreed to appoint a number of party’s commitment to the CA elections and created several Madheshi 1 Chief District Officers (CDOs) to be deployed to the committees, including one to select candidates for the CA most troubled districts to help stabilize the security situation elections; draft an electoral manifesto; negotiate alliances there prior to the elections. On 14 January the Government and/or joint strategies with other political parties and consider appointed five Madheshi as CDOs or acting CDOs in Bara, the integration of CPN-Maoist into the Nepal Army. During the Kapilvastu, Baitadi, Kaski and Taplejung districts. This reporting period, the CPN-Maoist publicly reiterated that the development increased the total number of districts with party has given strict instructions to the Young Communist Madheshi CDOs from one to six out of a total of Nepal’s 75 League (YCL), one of its affiliate organizations, to refrain from districts. use violence.

During the reporting period, the Seven-Party Alliance (SPA) On 16 January, the government made fresh calls to agitating declared that they would remain united in both the groups, especially those operating in the Terai region, to come implementation of the 23-point agreement of 23 December to the negotiating table and help create a conducive 2007 (which provides for among other things the declaration of environment for the CA elections. The Peace and a republic subject to implementation by the first meeting of the Reconstruction Minister appealed to opposition groups to come Constituent Assembly, a mixed electoral system and increase in for talks and presented a long list of achievements that the the number of CA seats to 601) as well as SPA commitment to government side had attained in realizing the demands of conduct CA elections on 10 April. The SPA announced that it marginalized groups. The Mahantha Thakur led Terai Madhesh would carry out seven joint public meetings across the country Loktantrik Party (TMLP) subsequently said that it would not sit to promote party unity ahead of the CA elections. Following an for talks with the government until the government clarifies its IED (improvised explosive device) blast that led to the injury of stand on the 11 point demand it had forwarded earlier. On 20 8 people after the first SPA rally held in Kathmandu on 14 January, three major political groups in the Terai, TMLP, January, security forces increased their presence at the venue Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) and Nepal of subsequent rallies. However, low key protests, strikes and Sadbhavana Party (Mahato) announced a working alliance to explosions continued before and during such rallies. During spearhead a series of Madhesi protests to demand for changes the reporting period, SPA concluded the 7 planned joint rallies, to the electoral law, autonomy, as well as implementation of even though attendance was marred by security threats. past agreements that the government made with the Madhesi According to media reports, on 30 January an explosion at the groups. The Prime Minister later indicated his willingness to last of the seven SPA rallies injured 32 people, including the discuss the just demands of the Madhesi if they commit to the Chief District Officer (CDO) of Parsa District. CA elections.

On 10 January, the Prime Minister expanded his Council of During the reporting period, the Government rolled back a Ministers by appointing three new ministers and five state steep hike in petroleum products it had proposed due to ministers. Five of the new appointees are from marginalized nationwide protests by political party-aligned student groups, to show commitment to integration. However, the organisations and public transport drivers on 23 January. The appointment of the Prime Minister’s daughter was criticized by reversal of this decision left the Government facing a continued many political actors who perceive the new minister as heavy monthly loss of revenue from its subsidisation of petrol representing the most conservative wing of the Nepali and kerosene prices and has, according to media reports, led to serious shortage of Kerosene and diesel supplies across the country.

1 Madheshi refers to the population of the lowland Terai regions, Following the completion of the verification of the CPN-Maoist inhabited by 48.5% of Nepal’s population. About 67 % of the total Terai combatants and the release of interim results by the UN population are Madheshi (2001 Population Census-CBS). Madheshi verification teams, the Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) and the claim to have been marginalised by successive regimes in Nepal and Prime Minister indicated that they were against integrating the are currently advocating for reversal of this trend.

OCHA Nepal Situation Overview, Issue No. 20/January 1 politically indoctrinated CPN-Maoist combatants into the with possible security threats before the planned SPA rallies, Nepal Army. These comments attracted criticism from the the deployment of 'Special Task Force' (STF) consisting of CPN-Maoist leadership. Nepal Police and Armed Police Force (APF) that had begun in December continued. Initial reports indicate that there were Conflict and Security security improvements in urban centres and other locations On 24 January, the government unveiled a special security plan where the STF had maintained a presence, including Mid which will be implemented in three phases to support the Western Region’s , where STF has been deployed forthcoming CA elections. According to the plan, the first phase since 3 January. of the plan would be implemented from 29 January to 19 February to precede the last date for registration of Bandhs (Strikes) and blockades called by various groups candidature for CA election while the second phase would be continued. Arguing that the Interim Parliament has no implemented from 20 February to April 10, the date set for CA authority to declare the country a republic, On 7 January, the elections. The third phase of the security plan would be Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP-Nepal), one of the political implemented from the CA election date and is anticipated to parties that supports the Monarchy, launched a strike cover rallies organised by the parties who emerge victorious in programme against the third amendment to the Interim Nepal the polls. The government also stated that it has set in place a Constitution which calls for the mandatory abolishment of the mechanism for the recruitment of 40,000 policemen, 22,000 monarchy subject to the approval of the newly elected CA. armed police personnel and 69,700 temporary police Similarly, on 24 January MPRF, NSP (Mahato) and other personnel to support the conduct of CA elections countrywide. groups announced a general Terai strike protesting that the youths affiliated with them were baton-charged in course of During the reporting period, indicative of deterioration in demonstrations in Janakpur. Daily life in parts of the volatile security situation, bombs and other explosive devices went off eastern and central Terai districts was affected. Security forces across the country. The prime targets of these explosions were and demonstrators confronted each other on 29 and 30 the towns where the SPA leaders had planned to hold joint January in Mahottari, Dhanusa and Bara districts. rallies. According to media reports over 30 IED incidents occurred in different parts of the country during the reporting Operational Space period. 9 IED incidents in of Parsa District, 3 IED During the reporting period, different groups, notably Madhesi incidents in Kaliaya of , 5 in Biratnagar of Morang; Tigers, JTMM as well as CPN-Maoist continued to interfere 1 in Gol bazaar of Siraha and 6 in Banke district were reported. with the way development and humanitarian workers operate. On 14 January, at least eight people were injured when a bomb On 18 January, an I/NGO staff operating in Central region’s went off in Kathmandu, minutes after a mass gathering of the Mahottari District was abducted and subsequently released SPA concluded. Armed groups, particularly the various factions after a few days by JTMM (Jwala Singh). Similarly, following of the Jantantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) and the continuous threats and interference in its programme by Madhesi Mukti Tigers (MMT) claimed responsibility for the JTMM and MMT cadres, an I/NGO opted not to extend its marked increase in IED attacks across the Terai. In a related programme in Saptari and Sunsari districts. In Kapilbastu incident, a JTMM faction claimed responsibility for a bus fire district, a UN funded project staff was abducted by JTMM on 20 January that killed eight passengers. While (Jwala Singh). A UN staff based in Parsa district also received a investigations are underway, there are conflicting reports about telephone call from unidentified group demanding money the incident with the police stressing it was an accident, while (extortion). others suggesting it were a deliberate attack. Threats and abductions aimed principally at NGOs operating in During the reporting period, there were indications of the Terai districts continued. An INGO staff and its partners increased militancy by various groups aimed at individuals and were threatened by MMT to stop operating in the Koshi Tappu state structures not only within the Terai. On 25 January, four Wildlife reserve area of Eastern Region’s . security personnel were injured in a serial blast at Jan Andolan Similarly, the INGO staff operating in the area were repeatedly Chowk in Rajbiraj of . According to media asked for ‘donations’ from JTMM (Goit) Cadres. Due to threats reports, on 21 January, an unidentified gang of armed persons and uncertain security situation in southern parts of the stormed three newly reinstated police posts in Chisapani, Eastern Terai districts, a number of I/NGOs operating in the Faktang and Devishtan villages in Eastern Region’s Khotang area were forced to change the mode of programme District and made off with seven rifles, two pistols, 528 bullets implementation or shift their programmes to safer areas. and two radio communication sets. Various groups have During the reporting period, a UN staff was relocated from claimed responsibility, all of them political organisations which Saptari District after receiving threats from a Terai based advance the political claims of the Rai population. militant group. An INGO staff was also relocated from Sunsari district for similar reasons. Killings, abductions, demand for ransom and other forms of threats aimed at political opponents and other persons In Mid Western Region’s Rolpa and Rukum districts, CPN- continued to be reported. On 22 January YCL cadres reportedly Maoist continued to compel development agencies to at least abducted three supporters of Nepali Congress (NC) in Eastern obtain ‘verbal’ acceptance from the party leadership before Region’s . On the same day, a gang claiming to be implementing any activities. In Mid-Western Region’s Banke cadres of JTMM (Jwala Singh) abducted a civilian of District, women and other people claiming to be flood victims Lakhanpur Village in Parsa district. On 21 January, the Section protested in front of the CDO office and the Nepal Red Cross Officer of Agricultural Development Bank was shot dead by an offices against delay and impartial distribution of flood relief unidentified group in Rajbiraj, Saptari district. On 22 January, materials. a district Vice-President of MPRF in was been shot by an unidentified person. Similarly on 25 January, Reach of the State JTMM (Jwala Singh) claimed responsibility for the shooting of On 27 January, government offices in Eastern region’s Saptari an overseer of Birgunj Sub-metropolis, Parsa district. district started operating after the civil servants and other government employees returned to work, ending six days of The government continued to intensify efforts aimed at strike that was staged to protest against the murder of their improving the security situation, especially in the Terai region. colleague/ Staff of Agriculture Development Bank. The civil In addition to the deployment of further security forces to deal servants resumed work following an agreement between the

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District Administration and the Civil Servants’ Struggle support in a similar way from (NRCS) Committee on 26 January where the government undertook to and District Administration. compensate the deceased workers family, provide education and support to his children and take further measures to Avian Influenza improve the security situation of civil servants within 15 days. Following reports of outbreak of bird flu in West Bengal, India, The strike had disrupted provision of health, education and Nepal authorities took steps and asked the public to remain other services in the district. alert against the possible entry of the disease into the country. According to government sources, no cases of bird flu have The ability of the state to deliver basic services continued to be been reported in Nepal, but officials at all entry points have compromised by different groups owing to abductions, threats been asked to be vigilant and forestall smuggling infected birds and intimidation. On 6 January, all Village Development into the country. The Nepal Poultry Trade Association stated Committees (VDC) remained closed across the country due to a that the association has also taken steps to stop illegal import of strike called by VDC Secretaries to protest against the poultry products. The government has reportedly restricted Government for failing to effectively follow up and provide movement of poultry products and activated quarantine centres security from armed and unarmed groups extorting, that will routinely check the quality of poultry products before threatening and kidnapping VDC secretaries. On a positive allowing the same to be moved to other places within the note, a number of VDC Secretaries were reported to have country. resumed their duties at District headquarters in different parts of the country. In Eastern region’s , the District Livestock Office have reportedly categorized 10 Villages bordering India as Population movement and Protection vulnerable to bird flu outbreak due to proximity with India and During the reporting period, the Norwegian Refugee Council formed a 12-member technical team coordinated by CDO to (NRC) initiated a number of programmes aimed at raising prevent any possible outbreak of bird flu. The committee is awareness and improving the living conditions of Internally reportedly organizing various programmes, including Displaced Persons (IDPs). On 7 January, NRC organized a launching awareness programmes in schools and banning nutrition orientation for 25 internally displaced women. The import of poultry products. In a parallel process, on 30 objective of this orientation to increase basic nutrition January, the Nepal Animal Service Directorate with the support knowledge and skill of participants on demonstration of solar of USAID and WINROCK foundation organized a one-day dryer and heat retained cooker. Participants learned basic orientation program in Biratnagar, to sensitise information on how to save nutrients from different food senior Eastern regional government officers, CDOs and Public groups and the negative impacts of junk food. Similarly Health officers from Ilam, Jhapa, Morang, Sunsari, Siraha and between 15-25 January, NRC sponsored the production and Saptari districts on the issue. A similar programme was performance of street drama entitled ‘Voice of IDPs’. The organised in Nepalgunj, Banke district. The government has objective of the street drama, which was performed in 5 reportedly banned import of live birds, meat and other poultry locations in Kathmandu valley, was to disseminate IDP products to prevent the disease from entering the country. information and at the same time raise awareness to help combat discriminatory attitude towards IDPs by the society. Disaster Preparedness and Response NRC at the same time launched a radio program to advocate On 16 January, an awareness rally and exhibition was for the approval of the IDP Directives. The program is designed conducted by the government of Nepal, the Red Cross to educate the internally displaced persons about their movement, UN, I/NGOs and other civil society members to fundamental rights by referring to the national IDP Policy. mark the tenth national earthquake safety day. The exhibition also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the great earthquake which caused 8,500 deaths in Nepal in 1934 and included several shows, including the ‘duck, cover and hold’ technique aimed at reducing casualties in buildings during earthquakes.

On 11 January, OCHA and the Red Cross movement together with the government and other humanitarian partners jointly hosted a lessons learnt exercise to evaluate the 2007 floods response in Eastern region. The workshop was attended by 61 participants from different humanitarian and response organizations. Key findings included the need for the government to take a stronger leadership role in coordinating disasters especially at district level, improvements in sector response especially for health and WASH clusters, a clear understanding of the role of the Nepal Red Cross, effective utilization of the capacity of the I/NGOs and the need to effectively monitor relief materials.

In Mid Western region, ADRA Nepal continued with its post flood reconstruction. The programme is supporting the 2007 IDP women learning the importance of nutrition: Photo courtesy NRC flood victims in reconstructing their homes and facilitated the During the reporting period, a number of IDPs continued construction of 302 Low Cost Houses in flood affected villages returning to their former places of residence either in Banke and Bardiya districts and is continuing with similar spontaneously or with the support of I/NGOs and government. projects in . ADRA Nepal is also engaged in Save the Children- US informed OCHA that about 244 IDPs supporting the construction of toilets and water pumps for the from Jajarkot and Dailekh districts who had been displaced to affected population in the same districts. different parts of country due to conflict returned to their place of origin with the support of INSEC and SC-US. Some families From 14-18 January, WFP and the Living Peace and Daily also returned to on 7 January after getting Justice sponsored a national seminar on Humanitarianism and

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Crisis Management. The main objectives of this seminar series partners and to develop an IASC contingency plan for Nepal by include fostering common understanding of the basis for the first quarter of 2008. humanitarian action, and understanding the roles and mandates of key humanitarian partners in Nepal. The Seminar attracted a wide range of participants from the government, UPCOMING EVENTS political parties, the academia, the UN, the Red Cross Movement, the Media and a number of I/NGOs. Five more Contact Group Meeting: 20 February 2008 seminars at the regional level will be conducted throughout IASC-DMT meeting: 5 February 2008 February. IASC Contingency Planning: 15 February, completion of cluster plans, 25 February: Workshop to discuss Contingency Plans, 15 COORDINATION March: Completion of Contingency Plans OCHA/NRCS 2007 Floods response review Nepalgunj 5 On 14 January, the Nepal IASC held its first meeting this year February. and decided to expand its membership to represent more Humanitarian Seminars: 5-8 February Humanitarianism and humanitarian I/NGOs as well as to prepare an IASC contingency plan for both natural disaster and potential Crisis management- Pokhara, 29 February: Humanitarian conflict scenarios. Similarly, on 16 January, OCHA facilitated Seminar, Biratnagar, 17-19 March: ISDR and Poverty the first Contact group meeting for the year 2008. Reduction Workshop Gender, Gender Based Violence in Disasters and Emergencies OCHA convened the monthly Disaster management team workshops: 5-6 February for WFP frontline workers in meeting, which agreed to expand membership to include IASC Nepalgunj, 7-8 February: UN disaster and Gender Focal Points, 13 February: IASC cluster leads, 24 February: Civil society

The information in this report is consolidated from media, UN, NGO, and other humanitarian partners. This report is subject to availability of data. If you have inputs for the next edition, or questions/comments to the current issue, please contact: Vincent Omuga, Humanitarian Affairs Officer on 9851072870, [email protected]

Wendy Cue, Head of Office OCHA Nepal Tel. +977 (1) 559-2311 [email protected] Visit the Nepal Information Platform at http://www.un.org.np

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