The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nepal, in collaboration with the Ministry of Forest and Environment, organised a three-day capacity building training on climate change negotiations for Government Officials from 25 to 27 January. The initiative aimed to enhance Nepal’s preparedness and strategic engagement in international climate negotiations under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Nepal is among the countries most vulnerable to impacts of climate change due to its fragile ecosystems and an economy highly dependent on climate-sensitive sectors such as tourism, agriculture, water resources, and forestry, according to a press note issued by the IOM. "As climate-related hazards intensify, they are increasing economic stress, disrupting livelihoods, and slowing developmental progress," it reads, adding that these pressures are also directly impacting climate-induced displacement across communities. "Despite this growing scale and complexity of climate-related mobility, global climate governance and policies have not yet fully integrated into these issues, limiting opportunities for comprehensive and people-centred climate action."
IOM Chief of Mission in Nepal Helene Fors, on the occasion, echoed the importance of strengthened advocacy on the concerning issue of climate mobility in Nepal on global platforms. “Together, we can ensure that Nepal’s voice, particularly on climate vulnerability, climate finance, and human mobility is clearly heard on the global stage,” she said.
The training brought together government officials from key institutions, including Ministry of Forests and Environment; Ministry of Home Affairs; Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security; National Planning Commission; National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority; and National Human Rights Commission and others.
The programme focused on enhancing participants’ understanding of substantive and procedural issues under the UNFCCC process, strengthening inter- ministerial coordination and collaboration, promoting knowledge-sharing and building practical negotiation skills. Particular emphasis was placed on the nexus between climate change, environmental degradation, and human mobility.
This initiative lays a foundation for more future initiatives to strengthen national climate action response through an informed, coordinated and strategically prepared national negotiation team, supporting effective participation and influence in upcoming UNFCCC processes, including the Bonn Climate Sessions, the 31st Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP31), and future negotiations.
Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Forests and Environment Maheshwar Dhakal, on the occasion, encouraged participants to make full use of the three-day training and further enhance their negotiation skills, noting that “Negotiation is a vital skill, not only within the context of climate change and the UNFCCC process, but also in our everyday lives."
Through this capacity-building initiative, IOM reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nepal in addressing critical intersections of climate change, human mobility and sustainable development, while advancing the recognition and integration of human mobility considerations within national climate action and policy frameworks.
This event was organised under the project 'Nepal: Promoting a Human Security and Gender Equality- Based Approach to Migration and Adaptation to Climate Change,' supported by the IOM Development Fund. It aligns with the project’s overarching objective of supporting Nepal in responding to the challenges across the Migration, Environment and Climate Change nexus.
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
IOM supports government to strengthen capacity for climate change negotiations
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
UN-Dhulikhel Hospital strategic collaboration to transform healthcare delivery
The United Nations in Nepal and Dhulikhel Hospital have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to share expertise to transform healthcare delivery in Nepal and advance the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Acknowledging the importance of partnership with academia under the UNSDCF and SDG Partnership program, the UN Resident Coordinator's Office and four UN agencies—UNFPA, UNICEF, IOM, and WHO—have signed the Joint Declaration of Intent with Dhulikhel Hospital.
Speaking at the historic signing ceremony, the UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Madam Hanaa Singer Hamdy said, “Achieving the SDGs in Nepal requires strong partnerships with various sectors. We are hopeful that this collaboration with Dhulikhel Hospital will yield excellent results to improve healthcare, address public health issues, and support vulnerable populations through shared expertise and collaborative efforts ultimately supporting a healthier, more resilient Nepal for all."
Through collaborative programmes, the UN and the Dhulikhel Hospital will enhance post-Covid-19 recovery and resilience and improve primary healthcare delivery by sharing best practices and addressing public health challenges like infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases.
The UN will support Dhulikhel Hospital on global health topics; engage in research projects to boost health outcomes; and conduct community outreach focused on health, nutrition, and social behavior change, particularly targeting vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations.
The Dhulikhel Hospital will provide technical expertise and share best practices to develop joint research projects.
“This partnership marks a significant milestone in Nepal’s healthcare journey. We are confident that together, we can build a healthier future for all. By combining Dhulikhel Hospital’s expertise in the medical field and research, and with the UN’s global resources and network, we are poised to make a substantial impact on the health and well-being of the Nepalese people.” Said Professor Dr. Ram Kantha Makaju Shrestha, Executive Director of Dhulikhel Hospital.
This joint UN collaboration as mandated by the UN Reform together with the Dhulikhel Hospital is expected to have a profound impact on the lives of countless Nepalese people and serve as a model for other countries in the region.
Thursday, September 23, 2021
Links between migration and sustainable development discussed
Students today discussed on interlinkages between migration and sustainable development at an interactive event organised jointly by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to mark the SDGs Action Week 2021.
"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises that migration, if managed well, can be a powerful driver of sustainable development to both the countries of origin and host,” said the UN resident coordinator for Nepal Sara Nyanti, addressing the event.
"Remittances inflow to Nepal contributes equal to nearly 30 per cent of the country’s GDP," she said, adding that it is crucial that all play role in making Nepali migration work for sustainable development.
The event was organised with the aim to sensitise and bring the young people into discussion about how migrant youths and well-governed migration contribute to achieve the sustainable development goals.
"Nepalis are working, studying, or living in over 100 countries across the world," IOM Nepal chief of mission Lorena Lando said addressing the inaugural session. "Over a million Nepalis have returned home since the pandemic hit the country in 2020 - many of them empty-handed," she said, adding that an IOM study conducted in September 2020 suggests that 50 per cent of the returned migrants desired for remigration citing lack of livelihood opportunities and poverty at home. "IOM sees an urgent need to set up an integrated rights-based and gender-responsive sustainable socio-economic reintegration package for the returnee communities."
Migration experts from IOM’s regional office in Bangkok and Headquarters in Geneva were among the presenters at the event, which was organised in collaboration with Samata School, an educational foundation serving the nation by providing education in much lower fee-structure with motto of 'Education for All'.
The programme is part of the UN Nepal initiative to bring together stakeholders to reinforce shared commitment between partners across government, civil society, business, academia, and the UN system to accelerate action on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) during an annual week of action, awareness, and accountability for the SDGs, called SDGs Action Week from September 17 to 28.
The global theme for the year is #TurnItAround for a healthy, green and just recovery and keep the promise of the SDGs.
Friday, August 13, 2021
IOM plans to train local level officials on disaster risk reduction and management
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) plans a capacity building training for all elected representatives and officials of all 753 local levels of Nepal on disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM).
The training seeks to enhance local authorities’ capacity on DRRM that will greatly assist in the development, drafting or revision of local DRRM Acts and or strategic action plans in the local context, according to the IOM press note.
Disaster Risk Management does not only curb losses from disasters but enhances the wellbeing and resilience of our communities,” said the UN resident coordinator for Nepal Sara Nyanti, in her video message for the participants of provincial level training of trainers (ToT) for Bagmati province organised on August 10 – 13 in Kathmandu.
DRM is our collective responsibility and I look forward to the collaboration between the UN and all of you as we strengthen the capacity of our communities and systems to understand risk, mitigate the impacts of disasters and transform to more resilient, stronger, healthy and prosperous communities in the future,” she added.
Previously, in March 2020, a five-day long national level training of trainers (NToT) was conducted to selected 21 participants (6 female, 15 male) in Kathmandu. Following the NToT, some 14 participants (4 female, 10 male) were selected based on the observation of performance during the NToT. A rescheduled refresher training, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, was also conducted in February for the training schedules had to be halted.
The selected 14 master trainers will roll out a total of 19 four-days long Provincial ToTs (PToT) across all seven provinces to the participants from Provincial Ministries, District Disaster Management Committees, District Coordination Committees, Local Levels and project’s implementing partners. Consequently, the participants from those 19 PToTs will conduct capacity building trainings at all 753 local levels together with staffs from selected implementing partner, the press note adds.
"Disaster Risk Reduction and Management can only be achieved when three tiers of the Government work together in coordination," joint secretary of the Ministry for Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) Bishnu Gautam said, addressing the participants. "I believe these trainings contribute to government’s strategic vision on disaster management which aims to build resilient community with local level disaster management Act in all local levels."
The training is part of the Promoting Action for Disaster Risk Governance and Working to Achieve Preparedness for Risk Reduction through Technical Assistance in Nepal (PARIWARTAN) project being implemented by the IOM under the leadership of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration (MoFAGA) with financial support of the USAID’s Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA).
The project is designed basically to build upon the activities carried out through Phase I project that contributed into government’s effort in implementing DRRM Act endorsed in 2017 and amended in 2019 with the aim to contribute to improved federal, provincial and municipal DRRM legislative regulatory framework that facilitates timely and comprehensive disaster risk management with strengthened capacity to build resilient community.
IOM developed the training module in coordination with the MoFAGA and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) based on the findings of a needs and capacity assessment study conducted in 14 selected municipalities across all 7 Provinces in 2018.
The study highlighted the current DRM scenario at local level as the ‘Moment of Maximum Opportunity’ (MOMO) for building the capacity of elected municipal leaders and staff to design and implement robust DRRM policies and plans, and to further contribute to the localisation of the DRRM Act at provincial and local levels.
Monday, December 21, 2020
‘People-to-People’ support is an exemplary contribution towards Nepal’s recovery efforts
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) Nepal informed that a project funded by the people of Thailand to support the Nepalis for their recovery and reconstruction efforts from the earthquake 2015 has concluded on an exemplarily successful note. The results of the project were presented today in Kathmandu.
They constructed eight earthquake-resistant multi-purpose community centers at eight districts hit worst by the earthquake; assisted local authorities in identification and mapping of total of 32 open spaces that can be used for life-saving activities at the onset of disaster; and reached out to more than 5,000 local people – including youths and women, and those in decision making positions – to raise awareness about protection of open spaces, according to a press note issued by the IOM.
In the aftermath of the 2015 earthquakes, the government of Thailand and IOM Nepal stepped up in 2018 to support the efforts of the Nepal in sustainable recovery and construction aiming at reducing the challenges the country has been facing due to natural hazards related disasters, the subsequent displacements, while building communities resilient to disasters.
Addressing the event, ambassador of Thailand to Nepal Vosita Vorasaph congratulated IOM for the success of the project. He also underlined the strong ties between Nepal and Thailand and said that the assistance from Thai people to Nepalis in their recovery efforts reflects that Thailand always values its bond with Nepal.
As Nepal is recognised as the 20th most disaster-prone country in the world, it is crucial for us to be prepared to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced populations and to build resilience to better respond at time of natural disasters,” said IOM Nepal chief of Mission Lorena Lando, addressing the event.
“IOM, as the global migration agency, brings a unique perspective and added value to global efforts in reducing disaster risk and building resilience, and IOM stands ready to support all three tiers of government to reduce disaster risks and assist vulnerable communities and migrants in building a disaster-resilient society,” she added.
Likewise, joint secretary of Ministry of Urban Development Surendra Mohan Shrestha thanked the Thailand for its support to Nepal in building communities more resilient to disasters after the earthquake 2015.
The project has also supported creating a module on open spaces into the Building Information Platform Against Disaster (BIPAD), owned by Nepal. BIPAD will display information on open spaces in 13 municipalities, identified and verified by IOM in coordination with local and federal governments in Bagmati Province, Gandaki Province and Lumbini Provinces.
Similarly, the project also conducted trainings for elected and municipal officials on disaster risk reduction and management and technical support in developing a draft disaster management fund mobilisation guideline, the press note reads.
The community centers will prioritise the most vulnerable people affected by a disaster, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly. It will provide an immediate safe shelter. In normal times, the center serve as a venue for community and municipal activities - for community-based trainings, recreational pursuits, information dissemination, income generating initiatives and as a safe activity space for women and youth.
The project has delivered 13 publications, including Open Space Map Atlases of identified open spaces in all eight municipalities. Those include details regarding the selection criteria that can be used by the local governments to enhance disaster preparedness and raise awareness on where to resort in case of a disaster.
The project ‘People to People Support for Building Community Resilience through Recovery and Reconstruction in Nepal’ was implemented by IOM under the leadership of the government, mainly the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
As a co-lead for camp coordination and Camp Management Cluster in humanitarian emergencies (CCCM), IOM Nepal contributes to the government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and on building resilient communities.
Monday, November 30, 2020
Fifth edition of Global Migration Film Festival starts
The fifth edition of the Global Migration Film Festival (GMFF) in Nepal was launched virtually today at the 8th Nepal Human Rights International Film Festival (NHRIFF) with the screening of a short film on human trafficking and migration.
“Films are one of best media to communicate with both public and policy makers, which eventually become a tool to raise awareness, advocate and trigger discussions on topics that require wider attention,” said chief of Mission for the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nepal Lorena Lando, speaking at the inaugural session.
“With over 2.4 million Nepalis working in over 100 countries, according to Nepal Migration Profile 2019, and prevailing reports of Nepalis falling victims tohuman traffickers in the course of migration, we believe that the film we have selected to screen this year targeting youth as well as the decision makers will be helpful to contribute towards addressing the issue,” Lando added.
The GMFF is taking place across the world from November 30 and run tll December 18, despite the challenges of Covid-19 pandemic, according to the IOM. “This year’s GMFF also coincides with the ongoing celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the UN.”
Likewise, addressing the inaugural session National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) secretary Bed Prasad Bhattarai opined that such film festivals such as GMFF and NHRIFF help raise human rights issues while noting that Nepal’s national policies are in accordance to the international human rights instruments.
A post-screening panel discussion was followed by the Nepal-based short film ‘Pari of Pokhara’ – which depicts a story of a young woman, who has lost her mother and family home to an earthquake and falls into trap of human traffickers while she seeks employment and freedom in life.
Head of Anti-human Trafficking and Control Section atthe Ministry Women, Children and Senior Citizens, Goma Dhakal, a representative from civil society organisation, and the film’s director Babar Ali along with Reena Pathak representing the UN Nepal, discussed on various aspect of the film and the issues it raises.
“I only tell a story through the film and leave it to the audiences to interpret it,” said the film’s director Babar Ali. “Some might find the film only as love story while some find it as issues like human trafficking and migration, prevent in societies.”
The GMFF was launched in 2016 and by its fourth edition in 2019, it had been run in 108 countries, with over 58,000 people attending the over 700 screenings worldwide, according to a press note issued by the IOM, Kathmandu.
The goal of the Festival is to pave the way for greater discussion around one of the greatest phenomena of our time: migration. Furthermore, it is an innovative avenue for normalising and destigmatising discussions on migration through storytelling, and an advocacy tool that can draw attention to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), thus helping all nations as they work to meet them.
Audiences were from government agencies, youths, civil society organisations, academia, researchers, and media for advocacy for safe and well governed migration.
Thursday, September 24, 2020
UN supports in addressing needs of migrant workers
UN is supporting the government in addressing the needs and concerns of migrant workers, according to a top UN employee.
“We must remember the incredible contribution that Nepali migrants working abroad make to their families, communities and the country large, as well as their undeniable contribution to their destination countries,” resident coordinator Valerie Julliand said, adding that Nepal and Nepali migrants have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. “As the UN, we support the government in addressing the needs and concerns of migrant workers, particularly those most vulnerable.”
“Providing spaces for young people to express their views and thoughts on migration and the sustainable development goals is so important,” Julliand said, congratulating the winners and thanking all the young participants. “I found their insights informed, thoughtful and inspiring, and what an excellent way to mark the 5th anniversary of the SDGs.
The event marks the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Action Week September 19 to September 27 especially during the UN General Assembly High-level Week and the UN’s 75th Anniversary, which is being celebrated through dialogues and discussions reaching out to as many people possible including youth across the world.
A virtual discussion was held with selected Nepali secondary level students, UN resident coordinator and heads of International Organisation of Migrants (IOM) and UNDP in Nepal on the topic ‘migration and sustainable development in the context of Covid-19’.
Prior to the event, following call for registration targeting the students of all over the country for selection round of the elocution competition, total of 62 entries – some 52 female and 20 male – from six provinces were received. Then a judge panel consisting of IOM, UNDP and an English language teacher picked up the best three speakers for the event.
The young student speakers, on the occasion, expressed their delight for the opportunity to participate on the SDGs-related dialogues and demanded that migration needs to be managed well so everybody – the migrants, their family, host country, as well as the sending country benefit from it.
“Owing to the pandemic, job opportunities both in destination countries and in home have shrunk making the migrants and communities more vulnerable to unsafe migration, human trafficking, and psychosocial distress,” said IOM chief of Mission for Nepal Lorena Lando.
“Therefore, there is a need to set up an integrated gender-responsive sustainable reintegration package as well as create livelihood opportunities matching their skills which eventually contributes to the country’s economic revival where migration becomes an ‘informed choice’ as envisioned by the SDGs-rooted Global Compact for Migration (GCM), she added.
The event was organised with the aim to bring together young people into discussion on migration issues with its impact on individuals, families and the whole country and thereby contributing to draw attention of all tiers of the government into accelerating localisation of SDGs reflecting on strategy and actions for prosperity and revive from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Government representatives from various relevant ministries, young students from six out of seven provinces of the country, civil society organisations, academia, development partners, and UN staffs attended the event virtually.
Saturday, September 19, 2020
IOM assists 63 Nepali migrants with voluntary return from Cyprus
The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nepal and Cyprus, with support from the government of Republic of Cyprus, and in coordination with the government of Nepal, organised the voluntary return of 63 Nepali nationals. The migrants landed at the Tribhuvan International airport (TIA) today, according to a press note issued by the IOM in Kathmandu.
The mixed group of men and women were mainly students no longer able to pay college fees in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, it reads, adding that the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the national economy and human mobility as well as travel restrictions compelled many migrants to turn to IOM for daily subsistence and support to voluntarily return to their countries.
“We are glad to extend our support to Nepali migrants in need,” IOM Nepal Chief of Mission Lorena Lando said, adding that an IOM Nepal team was present at the airport to assist them through immigration in coordination with the country’s Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC) and other relevant authorities.
Prior to their departure, all returnees were tested for Covid-19. On flight day, IOM Cyprus staff members assisted the migrants with all airport procedures and one-time cash assistance was given to each as a contribution to their initial expenses upon arrival and immediate needs, chiefly onward travel to their home communities, it adds.
Nepal government is ready to receive them and apply all necessary Covid-19 measures as applicable in the country. “Following the migrants’ registration with IOM to voluntarily return – and thanks to the cooperation with government authorities in Cyprus and Nepal – everyone was ready to help the stranded migrants to voluntarily return to their homes,” said head of Office for IOM Cyprus Natasa Xenophontos Koudouna.
During the flight, all passengers were required to wear masks and gloves. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, information material was distributed, explaining Covid-19 measures, reintegration support and how to contact IOM and the respective country offices. IOM Nepal claimed that it has been regularly assisting vulnerable Nepali migrants for their return and reintegration ever since IOM was established in the country in 2007.
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
IOM hands over another multipurpose community centre in Bhimeshwor
“With the operation of multipurpose evacuation center in the municipality, IOM is hopeful that the disaster risk management can be supported from the grassroot level to encompass all the beneficiaries,” said head of Programmes at IOM Nepal Jitendtra Bohara.
Confirmed Covid cases in Nepal have been increasing daily, although there has been decline partly attributed to declining number of returnees from neighbouring India, while the country saw sharp increase in cases after the Indian government eased its lockdown effective from June 1. Majority of cases in Nepal so far, have been returnee migrants, read a press note issued by the IOM-Kathmandu Office today.
“Having designated open spaces with on-site amenities is certainly much safer and important than setting up tent at random area at the event of disaster,” said the Bhimeshwor municipality mayor Bharat Bahadur KC, inaugurating the building.
On the same occasion, mayor KC also unveiled the ‘Open Space Map Book’ developed by the IOM covering all details of designated ‘open spaces’ in the municipality to be used for humanitarian purposes in the event of a disaster. The map book covers all details of ‘open spaces’ such as Global Positioning System (GPS) location, total area, nearest route for evacuation when disaster strikes, nearest emergency services and so on around the open spaces.
IOM is supporting the government in the identification and protection of ‘open spaces’ in the provinces of Bagmati, Gandaki and Province 5. The 83 open spaces identified in Kathmandu valley with support from the IOM, were found to be useful during the Nepal earthquake 2015 that displaced approximately 2.8 million people. The identified open spaces will be integrated to government’s BIPAD platform, a real time database information management sharing portal that will be related completely to both natural and non-natural hazards.
On the onset of disaster, the building will be used to provide shelter for displaced people with priority given to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly people. In times when no disasters or emergencies are prevalent, the building will serve as a venue for community and municipal activities, including women and youth groups, community-based trainings, recreational pursuits, information dissemination and income generating activities.
Under the same project, IOM is building similar multipurpose structures in seven other municipalities in earthquake-affected districts namely Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Gorkha, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk and Rasuwa, with the structure in Bhaktapur district already completed and handed over to the concerned authority.
The project, part of support from the people of Thailand to the Nepalese people in their recovery efforts from the earthquake 2015, is being implemented under the leadership of the government, mainly the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
As co-lead for camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) cluster in humanitarian emergencies, IOM Nepal contributes to government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and building resilient communities.
Monday, July 6, 2020
IOM hands over multipurpose community centre
The building will be used as ‘coordination hub’ by the municipality as part of its crisis preparedness and response efforts including the Covid-19, according to a press note issued by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).
The building was constructed by the IOM with financial support from Thailand with purpose of supporting the Nepalese people to recover from Nepal Earthquake 2015. “It gives a feeling of accomplishment that we were able to complete the earthquake-resistant structure within the set time frame and the building can now be an added value to Local Government’s efforts to respond to the current pandemic,” said chief migration health officer of IOM Nepal Dr Vasil Gajdadziev.
The earthquake displaced approximately 2.8 million people. Some 117,700 people in the 14 worst-affected districts were forced to find shelter in makeshift camps. Likewise, the impact of the Covind-10 pandemic in Nepal has been increasing daily with hundreds of thousands of migrants returning home from India after it eased its lockdown from June 1.
As of today, Nepal has 15,964 confirmed cases with 35 deaths. Majority of confirmed cases to date are returnee migrants. The government has started repatriation of Nepalis stranded abroad since early June as Nepal had imposed nationwide lockdown effective from March 24.
“This is an auspicious moment for both countries - Thailand and Nepal - as this represents the former’s support to the latter in its efforts towards building a resilient nation,” said Charge d’ Affaires of Thai Embassy in Nepal Utoomporn Ampaivit speaking at the event.
Recalling that in the year 2019 Thailand and Nepal marked 60th anniversary of establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries, she expressed her confidence that cooperation and partnership between the two countries and friendship between the people of both sides will keep growing ever stronger. “The fund for the project was donated by the Thai people under the Thai Heart for Nepal programme, which supports Nepalis in their recovery efforts from the damages of the 2015 devastating earthquake,” she added.
Thanking the government and the people of Thailand for their support to build the community center, the mayor of Changunarayan municipality Som Prasad Mishra assured his further steps in making his municipality a Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Champion municipality in the country.
At the onset of disasters, the centre will be used to provide shelter for displaced people with priority given to the most vulnerable, including pregnant women, children, people with special needs and the elderly. The centre will also serve as a venue for community and municipal activities, including women and youth groups, community-based training, recreational pursuits, information dissemination and income generating activities.
Under the same project, IOM has been building similar multipurpose structures in seven other municipalities in earthquake affected districts – Shankarapur municipality of Kathmandu district, Lalitpur Metropolitancity of Lalitpur district, Gorkha of Gorkha, Neelkantha of Dhading, Gosainkunda of Rasuwa, Chautara of Sindhupalchowk, and Bhimeshwor of Dolakha. The project is under the leadership of the government, mainly the Ministry of Urban Development, Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration.
As co-lead for camp coordination and camp management (CCCM) cluster in humanitarian emergencies, IOM Nepal contributes to government’s efforts in disaster risk reduction and building resilient communities.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Reduction in remittances can have other major ripple effects on Nepali economy
Chief of Mission
International Organization for Migration – IOM
Kathmandu, Nepal
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Loren Lando is Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Nepal since September 2019. Prior to her posting in Nepal, she was IOM Chief of Mission to the Republic of Tunisia (2011 – 2019), Deputy Chief of Mission in Sri Lanka (2010 – 2011), Chief of Mission a.i. in France (2009 – 2010), Deputy Chief of Mission in Afghanistan (2006 – 2008). Earlier she also worked in Iraq, Jordan, in the Balkans, Liberia and Central America. Lando has been serving in development and humanitarian field for over 25 years and has been advocating for migrants’ rights, migrants protection, and highlighting the contribution of migration to development during her service with IOM since 2000. Earlier Lando holds an International Post-graduate Diploma in Humanitarian Assistance, Fordham University, New York, USA; Post-graduate Diploma on Civilian Personnel in Peacekeeping Operations, Scuola Sup. Sant’Anna di Pisa, Italy; Certificate in Development Studies, University of London, UK; and BA with Honours in Modern Languages (Maj) and SocioEconomics Studies, University of Westminster, London, UK. An Italian national, Lando speaks English, French, Spanish, and Italian. We talked talks about the current woes of migrants, their evacuation, depleting remittance sent by them, with her on the occasion of International Day of Family Remittances that falls on June 16 ever year.
What is this year's motto and programmes for International Day of Family Remittances, and how has IOM planned to celebrate in such troubled times?
The International Day of Family Remittances (IDFR), which is observed on 16 June every year, is a universally-recognized observance adopted by the United Nations. The day recognises the contribution of over 200 million migrant workers to improve the lives of their 800 million family members back home and to create a future of hope for their children.
The IDFR is fully recognised at global level, and included as one of the key initiatives to implement the newly-adopted Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, also calling for the reduction of remittance transfer costs, and greater financial inclusion through remittances. The Day is also functional to the pursuit of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year, the IDFR will be observed, as you called, in such a ‘troubled times’. Covid-19 has changed the world. Millions of migrant workers are losing their jobs, and many remittance-receiving households are suddenly pushed below the poverty line, bringing to a halt efforts to reach their own individual SDGs.
With estimated 2.4 million Nepalis working in over 100 countries across the globe and contribution of remittances in GDP equivalent to 27.3 per cent in 2019, remittances are a lifeline for over 50 per cent Nepali households.
To mark the day in Nepal, IOM is hosting a webinar on ‘Impacts of Covid-19 in Remittances and Nepalese Economy’ which will bring together regulatory authorities and experts to discuss on the impact of the pandemic and way forward. The webinar is on 16 June starting at 11am. The invitation is open to all. Anybody interested can join through this link.
Similarly a radio episode is being aired on impacts of Covid-19 on remittances and its consequences on migrants’ families and the country through a radio network of over 200 radio stations all over Nepal.
In addition to that, with the aim to encourage the migrants and their families to convert remittances into sustainable source of livelihoods, IOM, remittance through social media outlets, will be posting testimonies of few returnee migrants who have been successfully running their small-scale businesses back home utilising the.
How has the IOM been collaborating with the Nepal government to bring in the Nepali migrant workers from different labour destination countries?
Sadly, as all other crisis the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the most vulnerable the hardest. The migrants are disproportionately impacted by the negative effects of the pandemic, including soaring unemployment rates and possible loss of income. With nearly all countries worldwide enforcing travel restrictions in an effort to contain the spread of virus, many migrants are unable to return to their countries or origin or reach their intended destinations.
Nepali migrants are certainly no exception. According to various sources, around 450,000 Nepali migrants are projected to lose their jobs and over 127,000 migrants are already in need of immediate assistance in host countries with little or no support and are unable to support their families at home. The Government of Nepal has started repatriation of Nepali migrants beginning last week on priority basis. Most of them have lost their jobs and many are in need of immediate assistance.
With this evolving situation, IOM, in coordination and partnership with CSOs, other UN Agencies, and development partners, has been supporting the Government in its efforts to address the migrants-related issues. In line with IOM Covid-19 global preparedness and response plan to control further transmission and mitigate the impact of the outbreak, IOM Nepal’s focus initially are on preparedness and response, however, recovery is a major activity to address the socio-economic reintegration of the vulnerable groups.
IOM has proposed strategic actions to support a coordinated prevention, mitigation and response efforts of stakeholders from federal, provincial and cross-border to control transmission and mitigate negative impact in the society and reduce a huge strain in the health care system, aligned with Health Sector Emergency Plan for Covid-19 pandemic and Joint UN Country Preparedness and Response Plan for Covid-19 pandemic in Nepal.
Currently, IOM has been providing technical support and expertise to Ministry of Health on issues related to migration health during the health cluster coordination meetings.
IOM leads the migrant protection sub-group consisting of government agencies, civil society, development partners and UN, which discusses prevailing the protection concerns of migrants and suggests way forward to address the issues. IOM will identify most vulnerable migrants and provide cash support to address their immediate needs as well as a longer-term reintegration supports to some migrants.
IOM will be providing Non-food Items (NFIs) to most vulnerable communities of provinces 1, 5 and Sundurpaschim province. Personal protective equipment such as 3000 coverall, 1000 goggles, 3000 gloves, 3000 N95 masks, 25,000 surgical masks, 275 liters of hand sanitizers will be provided mainly for point of entries (PoEs).
IOM has been running various migrants-focused risk communications such as television and radio programmes, audio/visual messages and social media campaigns to raise migrants-related issues and raise awareness among Nepali migrants both in the country as well as in destination countries about preventive measures to help spread of the virus, to mental health issues during the crisis, as well as awareness among general public against anti-migrants discrimination and stigma as spreader of the virus. IOM has also developed a one-stop online information center for migrants with all migration-related information in Nepal such as travel restrictions, work permit, visa, migrant-focused awareness raising messages and so on.
IOM will be conducting a few separate quick assessments to understand migration and migration health situation, skills and vulnerability of returning migrants.
Has there any role of IOM in evacuating the foreign workers from Nepal also?
IOM is the leading intergovernmental organization to advocate for migrants’ rights irrespective of their migratory status. All migrants are first human – so ensuring their human rights is basic. In this connection, during the current pandemic situation for both foreign nationals residing in Nepal and Nepali migrants in foreign countries, IOM advocates that it’s shared responsibility of both host and government of origin as well as employing company/organization to ensure safety of migrants wherever they are with full respect of their human rights. They should be treated with equality, dignity and respect irrespective of their gender and migration status.
Therefore, IOM keeps a close eyes on migrants’ needs such as evacuation of foreign nationals living in Nepal and the Nepali migrants in foreign countries and handling of the situation by the governments.
According to the World Bank, the remittance inflow to Nepal is going to plunge by a whopping 14 percent this year, is there any way IOM can do anything in this regard?
That’s right, with job losses as we discussed above as well, the World Bank has projected that remittance inflow to Nepal is going down by 14 percent. Nepal Rastra Bank has also recorded that remittance inflow in past two months mostly after the nationwide lockdown was enforced is less by nearly 50 per cent compared to the same period last year. A reduction in remittances can have other major ripple effects on Nepali economy and communities, resulting in a decrease in productive investment, consumption spending and access to education and health services, ultimately has the potential to hinder the efforts made to achieve the development goals. As such, it is critical that action is taken to ensure that remittances keep flowing including through supporting greater access to and use of digital technologies.
With the view to leaving no one behind in the current crisis, it is essential that all stakeholders - policy makers, private sector and civil society - come together and focus on specific measures we can take in this regard to support migrants and their families. The government policy responses to the Covid-19 crisis need to include migrants in all short, medium, and long-term interventions to support stranded migrants, regularize remittance inflow, recovery supports for migrants’ families who have lost subsistence income, and access to health, house, education and nutrition. A coordinated approach between the Nepal Rastra Bank and migration-related stakeholders, specifically the Foreign Employment Board, to market the Foreign Employment Saving Bond can be conducted. In addition, the private sector can be better mobilized to increase the ownership of programmes targeted to returnees such as the returnee soft loan programme. Returnee migrants should be equipped with business training to help produce viable business plans, and a one-stop center for returnee migrants to access information on available resources and advisory services for potential entrepreneurs and jobseekers should be prioritised.
A mechanism can be established to recognize skills of returnee migrants and the aforementioned one-stop-center can direct and guide them to right field such as agriculture, tourism and small-scale entrepreneurship in any other sector. Now is the time to utilise those human and economic capitals into national development. Collecting data on returnee migrants reflecting their skills should be initiated sooner than later in coordination between all authorities related to foreign employment. This will help in formulating plans and policies for reintegration of returnees as well as overall skill development and employment programmes and plans.
The current Covid-19 situation seems to continue till almost a year now and movement of the migrants also seemed to be curtailed. How can the IOM help promote safe migration?
IOM Nepal’s ongoing and proposed preparedness and response activities are aligned with IOM’s global preparedness and response plans to control further transmission and mitigate the impact of the outbreak, and aimed to contribute to the efforts of the government. Those activities are responsive to population mobility and cross-border dynamics, and that inclusive approaches which take into account migrants, travelers, displaced populations, and local communities, and counter misinformation that can lead to anti-migrant sentiment, stigma and discrimination are essential in the event of an outbreak.
Finally, do you have anything to say to Nepali migrants stuck in foreign countries due to travel restrictions or anything to overall Nepali people?
Nepalese people have a proud history of picking themselves up ever stronger after every crisis, for instance the 2015 earthquake. You rebuilt your houses and livelihood again and made Nepal into a more resilient and stronger country than it was before in such short span of time. As in the past, we are together with Nepalis to get through this difficult days as well and your come back is not too distant future.
To the Nepalese who are waiting to come back home from foreign countries, the Nepal government has been in regular contact with the government of your host country to make sure the host government takes care of you, protects you from Covid-19 and ensures your safety. I believe you are in contact with Nepali embassy there and the embassy will coordinate for your flights soonest possible.
Please, do take care of yourself whatever the situation is. Take positive thoughts, try to have healthy and balanced meals, enough sleep and regular physical exercise. Speak to your family and friends through digital technology on regular basis. Do not read, listen or watch too much of negative news about the crisis. Getting an updated information only once or twice a day will suffice. You may visit IOM Nepal social media pages and webpage where you will find useful messages and information for you.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Nepal's 'Migration Profile' out
The profile has been prepared by the International Organisation for Migration (IoM) with the coordination of the government, according to a press note issued by the IoM. “The profile has been prepared with the objective of supporting the formulation of effective policies by presenting updated statistics and of mainstreaming the migration in the development plans,” it reads, adding that the profile describes the types of migration, their characteristics and presents the related facts and figures by identifying the source.
The book is divided into four parts, where the first part contains the data and analysis regarding migration trends, the second part dwells on the impact of migration on the main socio-economic and development indicators; the third part deals with the governance structure for managing the migration while the fourth part contains recommendations the policymakers.
Addressing the ceremony, minister Yadav said that the government has adopted a policy of sending only the skilled human resources for foreign employment to make the migration safe. “The remittance sent back home by the migrant workers will be utilised in the productive sectors,” he said, adding that the manpower companies will also be regulated.
Likewise, chair of the Centre for Policy Research Ganesh Gurung, on the occasion, said that the government is facing problem in policy making due to lack of true data. He also expressed confidence that the data and statistics included in the profile will help advocate the government for better policy and plans in migration.
United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) for Nepal Valerie Juliand said that the Migration Profile will help establish the rights of migrant workers in Nepal and abroad. “The statistics show that about 500,000 youths leave the country for abroad employment annually,” she added.
IoM chief of Mission for Nepal Lorena Lando, on the occasion, said that the Migration Profile has been prepared for taking forward the strategy on migration in a new way. Stressing IoM's wish to make migration benefit for both the country of origin and the country of destination, she said that the book prescribes a total of 24 recommendations for the management of the migration one among them being formulation the border migration policy and establishing institutional coordination mechanism. “The book also suggests inking of bilateral labour agreements with between the labour sender countries and the labour destinations for securing the welfare of the migrant workers.”
Apart from highlighting need for putting in place mechanisms that check the implementation of labour and foreign employment-related laws the book suggested time-to-time review of the migration-related laws between the concerned agencies of both countries.
According to the IoM, the profile was prepared in consultation of various government organisations, civil servants organisation, trade unions, research-based organizations and UN agencies and experts and consultants. The book illustrates the various aspects of migration in 81 countries.
Tuesday, December 10, 2019
EU, IOM Nepal to launch project on mainstreaming migration into development
Under the project, which is also being implemented in Ecuador and Madagascar, IOM will work with partners in Nepal to integrate migration into development planning, with a focus on education and rural development. Assessments and trainings to identify links between different policy areas will be conducted in consultation with stakeholders to develop a roadmap for further action, reads a press note issued by the IOM Office in Nepal today.
Piloting the project in Nepal is timely as the 'decade of action' to deliver the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 is approaching. Nepal is also preparing for its Voluntary National Review (VNR) in July 2020, which will examine progress made toward the SDGs at the national and sub-national levels, according to the press note.
The EU-financed assessment earlier recommended that Nepal upgrade its data on internal and international migration, strengthen coordination between existing migration measures and new policies in different sectors, and update its migration policies to reflect the complex relationship between migration and sustainable development.
Deputy head of the EU Delegation to Nepal Eloisa Astudillo Fernandez highlighted the value of integrating migration into development sectors. “It's a two-way relationship between sustainable development and migration as it can both benefit migrants and transit communities, but at the same time it brings many risks,” the press note quoted Fernandez as saying. “Therefore, it is important to manage the whole process of migration in a way that gives as many benefits as possible while also mitigating the risks.”
“For the project, we have identified nine sectors that are impacted by migration,” he said, adding that the IOM has – in Nepal – chosen to focus on the rural development and education sectors. “The idea is to integrate the concept of migration within those sectors, as they have a strong impact on the outflow of migrants from Nepal.”
Wednesday, July 3, 2019
A Nepali killed in Libya detention centre bombing
According to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) in Libya, Shrestha was declared dead upon arrival at a hospital. The embassy in Cairo – citing the IOM – said that it is trying to gather further information about the deceased.
Shrestha had reached Libya paying money to brokers a few months back but could not earn as he expected. Brokers told him that he can earn more in Europe. Shrestha was preparing to leave for Europe paying some more money to the brokers. He had also called home and asked for Rs 600,000. His family sent Rs 600,000 to pay to the brokers in Italy a month back and thought he is on his way to Europe.
However, he was detained in the detention center for migrants near Tripoli with others, who try to illegally enter Europe through Libya.
The IOM had also asked for Shrestha’s travel document two days ago, according to press note that further reads that the embassy had sent the documents to the IOM in Egypt to be sent to IOM in Libya as courier service takes long time to dispatch the documents to war-torn Libya.
The air raid, involving two missiles, occurred in the early hours today morning and left the detention centre a charred ruin. The detention centre in the east of Tripoli was housing more than 610 people, where 44 – including many women and children – were killed and 130 severely injured when it was hit by two airstrikes.
The death toll represents one of the largest single losses of civilian life since the civil war in 2011, according to a the embassy press note that reads that eight other Nepalis stranded in Libya were rescued and sent to Nepal via Turkey today while the preparation is ongoing to send six other Nepalis in the Tripoli-based IOM camp to Nepal as soon as possible.
“In the past two months, including those eight, some 34 Nepalis have been rescued and sent back to Nepal,” the embassy said, adding that most of the Nepalis in the detention centre were brought to Libya by the human traffickers, who intended to send them to Italy from Libya.
The Nepali peacekeeping mission in Libya is, meanwhile, cooperating and coordinating on the matters related to Nepali migrants, according to the embassy press note.
Monday, November 12, 2018
Nepal to host Colombo Process meeting
"The government has finalised the preparations to hold the fifth senior officials meeting and sixth ministerial consultation meeting of the Colombo Process," according to the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security.
The ministerial consultation meeting is scheduled to be inaugurated by Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, labour secretary Mahesh Dahal said, adding that the meeting will be held on November 15-16 in Kathmandu. "The meeting will discuss on ‘How to make the foreign employment sector well-managed and addressing the present issues'."
It is also a forum to facilitate dialogue and cooperation on issues of common interest and concern relating to labour mobility. The Colombo Process – established in 2003 – is a regional consultative process on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origins in Asia. The Colombo Process has 12 member states – including Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam – and eight observer countries. "Of the 12 countries, eight have already confirmed their participation," he added. Dahal also informed that the meetings will also unveil the Kathmandu Declaration on labour issues.
The meeting – being organised by the government under technical support of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) – will also be attended by representatives from Abu Dhabi Dialogue, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and Association of Southeast Asian Nations as observers. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue is a labour hosting countries whereas the Colombo Process is the labour sending countries.
During the ministerial meeting, Nepal will present a country report including its work and achievements over the past year as the chair of the Colombo Process.
Nepal had succeeded Sri Lanka as the chair of the Colombo Process on March 29, 2017 and the last meeting had formed five thematic area working groups to conduct studies on concerned priorities of various labour issues.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
40 million in modern slavery around the world
The data of surprising scale of modern slavery around the world – released during the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) – also showed that women and girls are disproportionately affected by modern slavery. The research revealed that among the 40 million victims of modern slavery, about 25 million were in forced labour, and 15 million were in forced marriage.
The new estimates also show that women and girls are disproportionately affected by modern slavery, accounting almost 29 million or 71 per cent of the overall total. Women represent 99 per cent of the victims of forced labour in the commercial sex industry and 84 per cent of forced marriages.
The ILO have also released a companion estimate of child labour, which confirms that about 152 million children, aged between 5 and 17, were subject to child labour.
Child labour remains concentrated primarily in agriculture (70.9 per cent), it reads, adding that almost one in five child labourers work in the services sector (17.1 per cent) while 11.9 per cent of child labourers work in industry. "These new global estimates can help shape and develop interventions to prevent both forced labour and child labour."
ILO director-general Guy Ryder, on the occasion, said that the message the ILO is sending today – together with our partners in Alliance 8.7 – is very clear: the world won’t be in a position to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) unless we dramatically increase our efforts to fight these scourges. "These new global estimates can help shape and develop interventions to prevent both forced labour and child labour," he added.
Likewise, chairman and founder of the Walk Free Foundation Andrew Forrest AO said that the fact that as a society, we still have 40 million people in modern slavery, on any given day shames us all. "If we consider the results of the last five years, for which we have collected data, 89 million people experienced some form of modern slavery for periods of time ranging from a few days to five years," he said, adding that it speaks to the deep seated discrimination and inequalities in our world today, coupled with a shocking tolerance of exploitation. "This has to stop."
The new global estimates are a collective effort from members of Alliance 8.7, the global partnership to end forced labour, modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour that brings together key partners representing governments, UN organisations, the private sector, workers’ and employers’ organisations and civil society in order to achieve SDG Target 8.7.
Friday, February 14, 2014
Conference addresses legacy of land issues in post-conflict Nepal
Thursday, January 16, 2014
US ambassador Bodde lays foundation stone for new airport rescue station
Different departments and agencies within the US government have been actively collaborating to help reduce Nepal’s risk to natural disasters.
Some of the programmes include national planning and training, hospital and warehouse retrofitting, creation of district-level emergency operations centers, support for Department of Mines and Geology, construction of seven deep bore wells for emergency drinking water, creation of educational public service announcements, and joint humanitarian assistance exercises.