Restoring Food and Nutrition Security and Building Resilient Livelihoods in Earthquake-Affected Areas

The earthquake in April 2015 caused damage estimated at USD 7 billion – a third of Nepal’s gross domestic product. Rural women and marginal groups in remote areas suffered a disproportionate amount of damage and loss. Nepal’s global hunger index of 16.4 is “serious”; a quarter of the population lives in poverty, and the prevalence of malnutrition is high. Stunting affects 37.4 percent of children under 5 and wasting affects 11.3 percent, contributing to significant morbidity and mortality. Protracted relief and recovery operation 200875 will address immediate food and nutrition needs and support communities and the Government in repairing infrastructures and promoting resilient livelihoods. WFP will assist 381,000 people over three years, re-establishing access in mountain areas and supporting 41,000 malnourished children aged 6–59 months. The infrastructure rehabilitation and livelihood recovery components will focus on the seven most affected districts; nutrition interventions will focus on children in 14 districts prioritized by the nutrition cluster.

The objectives are to: restore food and nutrition security and rebuild community infrastructure in support of Nepal’s recovery from the earthquake (Strategic Objective 2); support the restoration of livelihoods and enhance community resilience to future shocks (Strategic Objective 3); and enhance the Government’s capacity to prepare for, monitor and respond to food insecurity and natural disasters (Strategic Objective 3).

The operation is aligned with findings from the post-disaster needs assessment and Nepal food security monitoring system and the Government’s Strategic Framework for Resilient Livelihoods in Earthquake-Affected Areas of Nepal, the Thirteenth Three-Year Plan, the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan and the Agricultural Development Strategy. It contributes to United Nations Development Assistance Framework Outcomes 1, 2, and 7, and to Millennium Development Goals 1, 3, 4 and 5.