Issue No. 62, covering the period 1- 30 June 2010 Kathmandu, 7 July 2010

I. HIGHLIGHTS • Prime Minister resigns, paving way for formation of national unity government • Flash floods inundate 230 Village Development Committees (VDC) in Jhapa and Sunsari districts in the Eastern Region • 2010 Disaster Preparedness Activities completed in more than 40 districts • VDC secretaries continue to face threats from armed groups and have submitted group resignations across the country.

II. CONTEXT Political Developments More than a month after the three major parties adopted the Three Point Agreement on 28 May to extend the CA tenure by a year, Prime Minister (PM) Madhav Kumar Nepal has resigned, stating it would not be appropriate to keep the country in indecision and uncertainty for a long time. Addressing the nation in a televised address on 30 June the PM said he decided to resign to help end the protracted political deadlock and to allow the peace process to move forward despite having a clear majority in parliament. The PM handed his resignation letter to President Dr. Ram Baran Yadav after which the latter called the political parties to form a national consensus government by 7 July following the approval of the PM resignation. All three major parties, the Unified Communist Party of Nepal -Maoist (UCPN-M), Nepali Congress (NC), and Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), have staked a claim to the leadership of a new government but intra-party differences have made the political scenario unclear. Competition in the NC between NC parliamentary party leader Ram Chandra Poudel and former prime minister and senior NC leader Sher Bahadur Deuba have had led to divisions within the party, with Poudel reportedly favoured by party insiders while Deuba enjoys greater support from external actors. In the CPN-UML, Party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and senior leader K.P. Oli reportedly remain keen aspirants for the top position. The major parties however, have not reached agreement on the next leadership or modalities for the integration and rehabilitation (I/R) of Maoist army personnel, the major sticking points in the continuing political deadlock. With few points of convergence emerging on these issues, it seems increasingly likely that the next government will be majority-led, rather than one of national consensus. As the deadlock persists, small parties of the ruling coalition stressed the need for implementation of the 28 May three-point agreement, stating that I/R and the resignation of the PM should be implemented at the same time. Meanwhile, on 12 June the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) withdrew its support from the ruling coalition, alleging that the government had failed to propel the constitution and peace processes. The Constituent Assembly (CA) has failed to make any progress since its tenure was extended by a month on 28 May. A meeting of the three major political parties, called by CA Chairman Subas Nembang on 27 June, discussed the formation of a high-level State Restructuring Commission (SRC), a new time-line for the CA calendar and contentious issues in the reports of eight thematic committees which are yet to be discussed in the CA Plenary. The Chairman urged leaders to constitute the SRC in order to begin work on the numbers, names and boundaries of the federal units. The UCPN-M made clear that it would not allow the government to present policies and programmes for the new budget in the Legislature-Parliament (LP) unless the Three Point Agreement was implemented. President Dr Yadav nevertheless sent a letter to the LP on 28 June calling for this session to begin on 5 July, thus rendering the smooth passage of the budget session uncertain. The work of the Special and Technical Committees (TC) has been stalled by the ongoing political deadlock. Donors, along with the UN, have been meeting with TC members to discuss technical preparations for possible support for the discharge, rehabilitation and integration of the 19,602 qualified Maoist army (MaoA) personnel. The UN and the donor community will give a joint presentation to the TC and subsequently to the leaders of the major political parties, focusing on the processes and principles of I/R, as well as on lessons learned from the discharge and rehabilitation of the 4,008 disqualified MaoA personnel.

Nepal Monthly Situation Update, Issue No. 62, 7 July 2010 1

The Nepal Army (NA) has reportedly submitted a proposal that would place it directly under the President through the Defense Council (comprising heads of all four security agencies), bypassing the Ministry of Defense (MOD) entirely. This proposal comes in response to the MoD’s own recommendations for democratizing the NA that were reportedly sent to the NA on 14 June. Protests On 8 June, Nepal Free Hotel Labours Union (NFHLU) closed hotels in Biratnagar, Morang District, demanding a 10 percent service tax according to the agreement made with hotel entrepreneurs. Hotel entrepreneurs agreed to implement the tax on 16 June and the NFHLU called off their strike on 16 June. Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha –Rajan Mukti (JTMM-RM) called for a bandh Dhanusha on 17 June protesting the killing of their cadre by police in Janakpur on 13 June. No vehicular movement observed and markets were closed. The National struggle committee of the temporary teachers under the relief quota reportedly called for the closure of community schools since 27 June demanding the remuneration equal to other teachers. The minimal impact of strikes observed in the Eastern Region and central Terai districts. Cadres of Samyukta Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha fatally shot the secretary of Babargunj VDC of Sarlahi district, a government employee, on 16 June. VDC and DDC offices in ER and CT remained closed down on 17 June, protesting the incident. A fundamentalist Hindu group, Bhisma Ekta Parisad, announced a general strike in Mid Western Region demanding the declaration of a Hindu state and the implementation of the Three Point Agreement. No vehicular movements were reported and educational institutions and markets remained closed during the strike. One vehicle was reportedly set on fire in Banke district on 22 June, allegedly for defying the bandh. Operational Space During the month of June there have been numerous threats targeting local government officials across the country. Village Development Committee (VDC) Secretaries have been resigning en masse due to threats from Samyukta Jatiya Mukti Morcha (SJMM) as well as other groups and political parties. Of particular concern are the letters posted by SJMM to VDC Secretaries throughout the country demanding their immediate resignation and threatening action against those who do not comply. Since January 2010, 1,239 VDC Secretaries in 23 districts have received threats verbally or through letters. During this same period, 514 VDC Secretaries have reportedly resigned across 11 Districts citing insecurity as their main concern. Of these, 339 Secretaries in eight districts have resigned due to threats from SJMM in June 2010. Very few operational space incidents have been reported by BOGs Signatories. On 1 July, the three main political parties urged VDC secretaries to return to work stating that the development work is being affected following their resignations at the end of the fiscal year. However, the VDC secretaries have stated that they will return to work only after holding dialogue with the SJMM. The Limbuwan State Force (LSF) torched the office building of Satashidham VDC of Jhapa district on 7 June. According to the VDC secretary, the fire destroyed two rooms of the building. The LSF took the responsibility for the incident informing the media persons, media reported. Police also found some pamphlets of LSF in the incident area. On 22 June UCPN-M cadres smeared black soot on the face Parsa District Development Office Engineer, accusing him of corruption. Civil servants halted the work of DDC on 23 June in protest and demanded improved security. Meetings were held in Surkhet and Kailali districts on 8 and 9 June regarding the Basic Operating Guidelines (BOGs). Participants discussed the current operating environment, challenges during the 1-6 May UCPN-M bandh, and ways of moving forward with the new dissemination of the BOGs. In Doti, the close coordination of I/NGOs working in the district has enabled them to respond to external demands (such as for donations) in a unified manner. Meanwhile, on 3 July, VDC secretaries decided to go back to work following the request of DAO, DDC and political parties with assurance of political dialogue with SJMM from the political parties. Safety and Security A vehicle was destroyed when a fire engulfed it followed by two explosions in Basundhara, Kathmandu on 8 June. Nepal Army bomb disposal team discovered a socket bomb in the area which was successfully diffused. Seven people were injured in the incident. An unknown group ‘ Swatantra Nepal Dal’ (Free Nepal Party) claimed responsibility for the explosion by issuing a statement. Police detained three persons including the driver of the car and the shopkeeper where explosive items had been stored for 21 days. Nepal Monthly Situation Update, Issue No. 62, 7 July 2010 2

Police arrested several members of Kirant Janabadi Workers' Party (KJWP) over the month of June. Five central level leaders of Nabin Kiranti-led KJWP-NK were arrested from Dharan and Itahari of Sunsari district on 4 and 5 June. Similarly, General Secretary, central member and Limbuwan division chief and alternative central members on alleged charge of attacking a Police Post in Nunthala VDC of Khotang district earlier on 4 May were arrested by police on 7 June. Five people were reportedly killed in Dhanusha, Janakpur the week of 8 to 14 June. Three out of five killings have been claimed by the armed group of Janatantrik Tarai Mukti Morcha (JTMM- Rajan faction) and police investigations into the killings are ongoing. Unidentified groups had killed a resident of Janakpur on 8 June, an employee of Dhanusha District Development Committee (DDC) on 10 June, a child of Sakhuwa Mahendranagar VDC on 11 June and a resident of Janakpur on 13 June. On 5 June, cadres of UCPN-M affiliated ethnic groups Kirant Rastriya Mukti Morcha (KRMM) and Limbuwan Rastriya Mukti Morcha (LRMM) threatened to halt works on Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Koshi High Dam Project, which is meant for irrigation of lands in Bihar-India and Nepal, besides producing electricity. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Energy (MoE) expressed serious concern over the Maoist's threats issuing a statement quoting the prior consultation, participation and consent of local stakeholders regarding the project and commitment of government to address their concerns as shown by the stakeholders. The Maoists have claimed that the 269-metre high dam is not in the interest of Nepal and should not be built without proper assessment of possible damages, such as inundation, media reported. Meanwhile, project authorities resumed work since 7 June following government assured security. Little known ‘Marxist Ganatantrik Young Tigers’ Group and ‘CPN-MLM’ are active in terror activities on local businessmen and educational institutions in Dang district demanding donation by setting of two small devices in private schools with no injuries reported. The Armed Groups have been threatening to bomb the residences of the teachers if they refuse to provide donations as demanded. According to media reports, Tharuhat Autonomous State Committee affiliated with Indigenous Nationality Dalit Republic Front (INDRF) reportedly conducted a military training to its National Liberation Army (NLA) in Pashupati Primary School, Sonapur VDC of Sunsari district since 27 to 29 June. Children were deprived of the use of their school buildings and premises during the training. A hundred cadres from Sunsari and Morang districts reportedly participated in the training.

III. HUMANITARIAN AND CLUSTER /S ECTOR UPDATES MYR of 2010 Nepal Humanitarian Transition Appeal The Mid Year Review (MYR) of the 2010 Nepal Humanitarian Transition Appeal 1 is currently being finalised. Cluster partners revised the strategy, objectives and response plan set at the beginning of the year as per the changed context reflecting the needs and priorities for the remainder of the year. There are 20 projects from four sectors/clusters-Coordination, Disaster preparedness, Food Security, and Nutrition and Refugee (Multi Sector) in the appeal requesting total of US$ 125 million. Clusters whose projects have not been included in the appeal have also revised indicators and targets for the remainder of the year. The HC will launch the MYR in a donor briefing on 26 July in Nepal. Flash Floods in Eastern districts With the onset of the monsoon there are reports of flash floods affecting 230 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in Jhapa and Sunsari districts. According to Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) in Jhapa, incessant rainfall from 20 to 22 June led to overflows in the local rivers of Jhapa District. Flash flood waters inundated 10 households of Duwagadhi VDC on 21 June. Two houses were partially destroyed and nearly 60 people from 10 families displaced. However, the displaced people returned to their place after the waters receded. Likewise in Bhadrapur VDC, 28 families were temporarily displaced on the same day and returned to their homes the following day. Equally in Sharanamati and Topgachhi VDCs, about 50 houses were inundated however the inundation was cleared after one day. Similarly, according to NRCS Sunsari, nearly 40 families were displaced in Dharan on 23 June. The landless families residing on the bank of Sardu River were displaced after the flash flood in the river. The displaced families returned to their houses on 24 June when the water flow receded. On 19 June, the flash flood in Khado and Mahuli Khola temporarily inundated the farm lands in seven VDCs of Saptari district and nearly 500 bighas of land in Bhardaha VDC respectively. Paddy seeds were damaged with the water inundation in the farm lands. The waters however receded from 20 June NRCS reported.

1 The Consolidated Appeal Process (CAP) is a tool for aid organizations to jointly plan, coordinate, implement and monitor their response to disasters and emergencies and to appeal for funds together. Nepal Monthly Situation Update, Issue No. 62, 7 July 2010 3

Similarly, on 28 June, heavy rainfall caused a landslide in Sishuwakhola of Sankhuwasabha District which has affected 16 families. According to DDRC and NRCS, the landslide buried 5 cattle and swept away a bridge over Newa Khola. The VDC office building, sub-health post building and two school buildings are at high risk of further landslides. The Tamku Police post responded after three hours of the landslide. The police conducted search and rescue and resettled the affected people in a safe place. The DDRC meeting held on 30 June formed an 11-member assessment team headed by NRCS and deployed to the affected area on 2 July for detailed assessment and recommendations for response and rehabilitation. The DDRC also requested to the Central Natural Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC) the relocation of nearly 160 families of Bala and Sisuwaskhola VDC considering the high risk of landslides. Similarly, according to NRCS in Udayapur, a landslide swept away one house and partially destroyed two houses in Aanptar VDC on 29 June. The landslide injured 19 people and three people are still missing. The District Hospital provided free treatment, NRCS provided food and accommodation, and DDRC provided travel fare for 12 people to reach their homes. Goldhap floods Torrential rain throughout the night and morning of 22 June 2010 flooded the Goldhap refugee camp and adjacent villages. One of the access roads was washed away and water flooded into some refugee huts and 2-3 huts in the host community. According to a rapid assessment, while 156 huts were flooded for a few hours there was no significant damage. The footbridge that was built after the flood of August 2009 washed away. A new bamboo footbridge has been built by refugee volunteers with support of Armed Police Force (APF) Pathibhara Battalion. It has been decided that some huts will be relocated to a safer location for the future.

Photo 1 : Bridge under-construction at the Photo 2 : Bridge after construction at the Entrance of the Refugee Camp entrance of the Refugee Camp under use Education Education Cluster facilitated capacity building training of the district and central level stake-holders on Education in Emergency. The Department of Education (DoE) conducted three days training for DoE education focal persons from 29 June to 1 July. Participants included district focal persons from the most vulnerable districts, representatives from Teachers Union and officials from Regional Education Offices. Education Cluster meeting held on 10 June reviewed the Education Cluster Contingency Plan (CP). The UNESCO office in Kathmandu is preparing a project proposal on earthquake and disaster risk reduction, preparedness and management in education sector. UNESCO organized a consultative meeting for education stakeholders - ADB, UNICEF and Save the Children to provide feedback on the project proposal on 4 June. As committed during DDRC meeting, Save the Children provided student kits to 41 fire-affected children in Narainapur VDC of Banke district on 10 June in close coordination with DEO, NRCS and UNESCO Club Banke. 440 local teachers affiliated to Unified Teachers Struggle Committee (UTSC) have padlocked DEO since 17 June for indefinite period affecting education of 15,000 students of 131 schools in Mugu demanding remote allowance as other civil servants,. Similarly, teachers in Rukum are agitating for not getting their salary for past seven months. Functioning of the District Education Office (DEO) in Parsa has been disrupted since 24 June due to the sit- in protest of Relief Teachers Rights Struggle Committee in front of DEO. The temporary teachers under relief quota are demanding the release of their salary of the past 11 months. They accused the DEO for not supporting in their demand. Nepal Monthly Situation Update, Issue No. 62, 7 July 2010 4

Food Security United Nations Field Coordination Office (UNFCO) and WFP jointly organized a regional Food Security meeting on 11 June in Nepalgunj. During the meeting participants presented the food security situation in MWR and FWR, shared field-based experiences and discussed programme impacts, gaps and challenges. Possible interventions in the areas nutrition, agriculture, and livelihood and income generation were discussed in order to synchronize programmes and improve coordination. The need for a holistic approach to the problem of food insecurity was stressed. Local land owners and farmers did not provide job to nearly 80 families of Musahar communities of Asanpur and Chandralalpur VDC in Siraha district following the demand on a hike in their daily wages. According to Informal Sector Service Centre (INSEC) report of 27 June, the Musahar agricultural labors, used to get five kilograms (kgs) of rice as per day's wage which they demanded to increase by two more kgs. The dispute was resolved in mediation of Area Police Office on 27 June. Agriculture and Livestock FAO through Food Facility Program funded by European Union has completed the distribution of 514 MT rice seed in four districts in FWR and with additional 981 MT fertilizers to other three districts. The rice seed is addressed to food insecure families with land access less than 0.38 hectares (7.5 ropani). Priority is given to women headed family and disadvantages community like Dalit and indigenous people. These are a part of the previous maize and vegetable seed distribution to support vulnerable farmers in summer planting season.

Photo 3 : Farmers Field School, rice intensification in Fulbri VDC, Kailali, Photo: FAO Along with seed distribution, FAO has trained 528 farmers as Local Resource Persons (LRPs) from target villages who can help other farmers in their village to solve farming problem and at the same time transfer of knowledge through Farmers Field School (FFS) and demonstration plot. Twelve FFSs in different cereal and vegetables crops suitable to the area have been conducting by the LRPs. More than 10,000 vulnerable farmers have benefitted from the FFS and demonstration plots. Vegetables and maize have been planted but in some areas farmers are still waiting for rain. There is not enough rain for proper plant growth, particularly rice, in Mid- and Far-Western Region. Health The Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) of the Ministry of Health and Populations (MOHP), the Regional Health Directorate (RHD) MWR and WHO organised a two-day Training of Trainers on District Health Contingency Planning (CP) in Nepalgunj, Banke district. District Health Office (DHO) staff and other health personal from ten districts of the MWR were trained on how to conduct a Health CP in their respective districts. The training is a part of a national strategy of MOHP supported by WHO to conduct Health contingency planning across 75 districts. Avian Influenza Control Project (AICP) under MoHP with technical support from WHO organized a two days training on whole of Society Preparedness for Pandemic to various line ministries of the government, INGOs and UN agencies. The objective of the training was: to bring the awareness on whole of society approach for pandemic preparedness. National Health and Research Council (NHRC) organised national conference from 22- 25 June on Epidemiology in Kathmandu. The objective of the conference was to develop a road map for response preparedness of any public health concerns of national and international importance. As a follow up of this training, for the preparedness at district level, five similar regional trainings are planned from 15-29 July. The participants of at the regional level will be of similar kind as of the national level.

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Two minors died of diarrhoea and worm infection in Mashta VDC in Bajhang during the second week of June. An 18-month boy died of dehydration due to diarrhea, whereas a three-year-old died of severe malnutrition caused by a worm infection. According to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD), 29 diarrhea related cases were reported in Bajhang during mid-May to mid-June. Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) An overall strategic framework for implementation of a Comprehensive and Accelerated Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Program (CASH) is being launched with a focus on the Mid and Far-Western regions with the objective to make diarrhoea epidemics history. Building upon recent experience, CASH features joint action between health, education, and water & sanitation sectors. A regional stakeholder workshop on CASH was conducted in Nepalgunj on 16 and 17 June. Around 90 people from 19 districts participated in the workshop, including government line agencies at district and regional levels, UN agencies and international NGOs and agreed on a joint approach and formulated a common commitment to accelerate hygiene and sanitation promotion. According to media reports, VDCs in Jajarkot face scarcity of water as the water resources are running dry due to lack of rainfall, drought and deforestation. Khalanga, Gagatipur, Punma, Dhime, Bhur, Khagenkot, Nayakwada, Sakala, Rokagaun, Archani, Talegaun, Suwanuli are the mostly affected VDCs and locals are reportedly forced to walk hours to fetch water from rivers and streams. According to a DWSSO Engineer, the District Headquarters could only supply half of the water required to the affected VDCs (source: media, DWSSO Jajarkot). From 5-11 June, the 11 th National Sanitation Week was celebrated in both MWR and FWR. Stakeholders from government line agencies, I/NGOs, community based organizations and UN conducted several activities such as marches and festivals where model toilets and their use was demonstrated as well as other public awareness programmes through newspapers and radio. Nutrition Nutrition cluster organized cluster meeting on 2 June and finalized Terms of Reference (TOR) for nutrition cluster and has prepared final draft of nutrition contingency plan. It has also identified two national NGOs to support District/Public Health Offices for planning, coordination and monitoring the implementation of Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) in Kanchanpur and Jajarkot districts and signed Programme Cooperation Agreement with them. There is ongoing Community Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) in Bardiya, Mugu and Achham districts as well. Nutrition cluster has also reviewed and finalized CMAM training manual and participants’ handbooks and developed implementation plan and identified NGOs to conduct child nutrition survey in three districts remote mid hill districts- Dolpa, Humla and Jumla. Post vitamin A survey is ongoing in 11 districts by National Technical Assistance Group (NTAG) and supplementation of micro-nutrient powder in emergency setting has is ongoing in 17 food insecure districts through integration with food security programme. Protection Protection Cluster finalized an action time table matrix for Contingency Plan – Chapeau document and submitted to OCHA. Reviewed MYR of 2010 Nepal Humanitarian Transition Appeal. PC also completed refresher training for the members of Protection Cluster on the basic concepts and structure of Protection Cluster in Nepal in order to enhance a common understanding of protection issues among he cluster members on Thursday, 24 June 2010. Locals of Janakinagar VDC of Sarlahi district forced the three members of a Dalit family to eat human excreta on 13 June accusing them for practicing witchcraft. The Locals thrashed and fed human excreta to the Dalit family alleging that they had made their neighbor’s daughter-in-law ill by practicing witchcraft. Police arrested two persons involved in the crime. Meanwhile, in a program organized in Rajbiraj of Saptari, local Human Rights Defenders and political parties' leaders honoured a woman of Barmajhiya-3, Saptari who was beaten up by her relatives on 3 June accusing her for being witch. The perpetrators apologized for their fault and paid her NPR 5000 ($68) as a compensation amount. An eighteen year old girl, who was consigned to Chhaupadi confinement, died of a snake bite at Rithapata VDC in Bajhang on 09 June. Chhaupadi is a tradition in western Nepal in which menstruating women are kept outside their house in seclusion being considered impure and untouchable. Refugee (Multi Sector) World Refugee Day was commemorated in Damak, Jhapa district on 18 June. To mark the day, rallies, sensitization events and blood donation campaigns were organized. The resettlement programme for refugees from Bhutan in Nepal has become United Nations High Commissioner’s for Refugee (UNHCR)’s Nepal Monthly Situation Update, Issue No. 62, 7 July 2010 6

largest such programme world wide. Over 32,000 refugees from Bhutan have departed to the United States and other countries since the launch of the resettlement programme in November 2007. The United States (27,926) has accepted the majority of the refugees followed by Australia Canada, New Zealand, Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands while some 100 are expected to depart to United Kingdom soon. Some 79,800 individuals remain in the camps currently of whom over 56,000 individuals have declared interest in resettlement as of mid June. Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) International Office for Migration (IOM) has identified potential IDP camp sites in Kathmandu valley. The assumption of the risk factor of a severe earthquake is between 600,000 to 900,000 homeless. Approximately 60% of all buildings would be destroyed if there is a large earthquake (>7 magnitude). The objective of the study was that IOM, as CCCM lead cluster, enhance GoN and IASC cluster leads planning and preparedness by identifying possible open sites, and highlight planning considerations to reduce future vulnerabilities. Three categories of camps are recommended: 1) Large camps: 30,000 – 87,000 IDPs and 10 square meters per person, 2) Medium camps: 20,000 – 45,000 IDPs and 3.5 square meters per person and 3) Small camps: 1,000 – 20,000 IDPs and 3.5 square meters per person. Open spaces and many public and private schools have been identified as temporary collection points to transfer the affected towards the more permanent camps. Major considerations while identifying the camps were WASH, Food Security and Shelter. IOM recommended that cluster leads for CCCM, WASH, Food and Emergency Shelter together with the GoN require a coordinated approach to agree, categorize and recognize the potential IDP sites as planned for use following natural disasters. IOM with support from OCHA coordinated visits of the cluster lead/focal points to the IDP camp sites on 2 July. The objective of the visit was to trigger the preparedness through the sectoral perspective. Shelter Koshi Recovery Updates As of 17 June, 66 core shelter units have been completed and additional 21 shelters units have erected with bamboo superstructure frame. The shelter construction work has been halted since 17 June due to the conflict between the president of Koshi Victims Struggle Committee (KVSC) and field staffs of Lumanti regarding the quality of the materials. The District Administration Office is trying to solve the problem locally by bringing together both the confronting parties and resume the shelter construction work immediately. A meeting was convened on 25 June in the DAO and a written understanding was made between the KVSC president and Lumanti staff. Disaster Preparedness Several disaster preparedness planning activities (either meetings or workshops) were organized across the country over past month. As per the decision from Central Disaster Relief Committee (CNDRC), District Lead Support Agencies (DLSAs) are identified to support DDRCs to coordinate and facilitate Disaster Preparedness exercises throughout the country. As per this decision, more than 40 districts completed and the remaining 27 districts initiated preparatory meetings/workshops out of 75 districts. Action Aid Nepal, ADRA, CARE Nepal, IRD, Mercy Corp, Merlin, Save the Children, Lutheran World Federation, Nepal Red Cross, Oxfam, Practical Action, UNDP, UNICEF and World Vision International are identified as the DLSAs in 67 districts. UNFCO field offices Photo 4 : DP workshop, Sunsari : Photo UNICEF in Biratnagar and Nepalgunj and together with OCHA are supporting the DLSAs, and also coordinating with district Authorities (CDO) to improve disaster preparedness activities in the district. Some of the districts have started preparing the District Contingency Plans focusing the cluster approach in disaster preparedness and response. It is expected to complete disaster preparedness initiatives for 2010 by the end of July. Regional Disaster Preparedness Workshop: On 7 and 8 June, with the technical and financial support from OCHA and Action Aid Nepal, the Regional Disaster Relief Committee (RDRC) of Mid-Far Western Region organized a workshop on Disaster

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Preparedness and Risk Reduction. Participants of the workshop were from regional Government authorities, Security Forces, Nepal Red Cross, UN agencies, I/NGOs and Civil Society working in the Region including the Senior Government Officials from Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA), Ministry of Local Development (MOLD) and National Planning Commission (NPC) as resource persons. It was the first time a disaster preparedness workshop has been organized at the regional level. The outcomes of the workshop were to draft regional Standing Operating Procedures (SOP) on disaster preparedness and agreement to mainstream DRR in development projects. Based on the feedback from this workshop, the MOHA and OCHA are planning to hold workshops in all five regions jointly with national level stakeholders. On 9 June, the United Nations Field Coordination Office (UNFCO) and OCHA organized a brief orientation session on the Multi-Cluster Initial Rapid Assessment (MIRA) tool and other existing assessment tools to the humanitarian community in Neplagunj. Banke District government line agencies and I/NGOs participated in the orientation session. Handicap International, Department of Urban Development and Building Construction and NSET (National Society for Earthquake Technology) have jointly organized a National Workshop on 28 and 29 June 2010 to develop Accessible and Disaster Safe Infrastructures. Major Disabled People’s Organizations (DPOs), Disability organizations, DIPECHO partners, UN Habitat, UNICEF, UNDP and WHO have joined this event funded by the European Commission under the DIPECHO V Action Plan. The outcome of the workshop is “Draft designs for accessible and disaster safe schools, shelters, hospitals and water and sanitation facilities have been developed, an innovative initiative and a first event ever in Nepal”. Action Aid Nepal organized VDC secretaries training including other government authorities in Udayapur and Sunsari Districts to sensitize them on the DRR in planning process.

IV. COORDINATION Contact Group Meetings (CGM), thematic meetings, UN Team and BOGs group meetings are being organized by UNFCO in Nepalgunj and Biratnagar. Preparatory work for the Global Inter–Cluster mission is ongoing. Terms of Reference for the mission have been shared among the cluster partners. As of 1 August, the OCHA Country Office in Nepal will be down-sized to a Humanitarian Support Unit (HSU) within the Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator’s Office (RC/HCO). The RC/HCO will provide integrated coordination services to the development, peace-building and humanitarian communities. Two regional UNFCO are currently operational in Nepalgunj and Biratnagar. This Monthly Report will continue but the scope of the report will be expanded to include early recovery and development initiatives. OCHA Nepal wishes to thank all partners for submitting and sharing information and encourages continued support.

V. UPCOMING EVENTS / MEETINGS • 1 July: Central Terai Contact Group Meeting, 11:00am – 12:30 pm, Birgunj, Parsa • 2 July : IASC/HCT Operational Meeting, 10:30am – 12:00pm, OCHA Conference Room • 7 July: Contact Group Meeting, 10:30am – 12:00pm, UN Conference Room • 16 July (tbc): IASC/HCT Operational Meeting, 10:30 – 12:00 pm, OCHA Conference Room • 20 – 26 July: Inter Cluster Mission to Nepal • 23 July: “Strengthening Humanitarian Coordination” workshop with Government focal points and operational cluster leads, 9:30 – 4:00 pm, Himalaya Hotel • 26 July: Donor Briefing on outcomes of the Cluster Mission and Mid Year Review • 27 July: Easter Region Contact Group Meeting, 1:00pm – 2:00pm , UN OCHA Conference Room • 28 July: Koshi Flood Response General Contact Group Meeting, 1:00pm – 2:30pm, Sunsari • 30 July: IASC/HCT Operational Meeting, 10:30 – 12:00 pm, OCHA Conference Room For more details, please visit Meeting schedules at UN Nepal Information Platform (NIP). http://www.un.org.np/WebCalendar/month.php

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RECENT MAPS AVAILABLE : OCHA IMU produced a number of mapping products, some of which are listed below and also available on the Nepal Information Platform (NIP) ( http://www.un.org.np/ ). Nepal: Report of Bandhs /Blockades – 01-31 May, 2010 http://www.un.org.np/maps/metadata.php?id=701 Nepal: Report of Security Incidents – 01-31 May, 2010 http://www.un.org.np/maps/metadata.php?id=700 Nepal: Operational Space – 01 -31 May 2010 http://www.un.org.np/maps/metadata.php?id=702 Nepal: Security incidents related to the UCPN-M general strike, 7-9 May 2010 http://www.un.org.np/maps/metadata.php?id=695 Nepal: Security incidents related to the UCPN-M general strike, 1-6 May 2010 http://www.un.org.np/maps/metadata.php?id=693

RECENT REPORTS AVAILABLE : Some of the recent reports available on NIP are listed below. A Report on Launching of DDR Toolkit for Constituent Assembly Members of Nepal http://www.un.org.np/reportlibrary/table_metadata.php?mid=576 Report on Potential Internally Displaced Persons Camp Site Selection in Kathmandu Valley http://www.un.org.np/reportlibrary/table_metadata.php?mid=575 World Vision International Nepal (WVIN) Annual Review 2009 http://www.un.org.np/reportlibrary/table_metadata.php?mid=574 Role of Women in Community Based Disaster Risk Management in Rural Communities of Kailali District http://www.un.org.np/reportlibrary/table_metadata.php?mid=569 Situation Analysis of Female Sex Workers in Chitwan http://www.un.org.np/reportlibrary/table_metadata.php?mid=570 Study on Status of Unemployed Slum Youth and their Possible Linkages with Job Market in Greater Kathmandu http://www.un.org.np/reportlibrary/table_metadata.php?mid=571

Disclaimer: The information in this report is consolidated from media, UN, NGO, and other humanitarian partners, subject to availability of data. Although OCHA aims to confirm reports independently, occasional factual inaccuracies can occur. For inputs, questions or comments please contact: Rita Dhakal Jayasawal, National Coordination Officer on ph. 9851072938, [email protected] Wendy Cue, Head of Office OCHA Nepal Tel. +977 (1) 5548243 [email protected] Visit the Nepal Information Platform at http://www.un.org.np

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