Oxfam Novib

My Rights, My voice

Oxfam together with Community Self Reliance Centre (CSRC), and with research by Dr. Navin Rai, examined the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) and FMO’s (Dutch Development Bank) implementation of its Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) commitment at the Upper Trishuli-1 hydroelectric project at Rasuwa Nepal. IFC is the lead arranger of the debt package for the UT-1 hydroelectric project involving eight other lenders among them the Dutch Development Bank, FMO. The financing is provided to the privately-owned Nepal Water and Energy Development Company (NWEDC) that is majority owned by the Korean Southeast Power Corporation. The research assessed and compared the extent to which the NWEDC’s interpretation of FPIC aligns with best practice andthe Oxfam definition of FPIC,and whether NWEDC behavior and process aligns with FPIC requirements as defined in IFC’s performance standards 7 on indigenous peoples. IFC’s performance standards 7 on indigenous peoples will be the primary standard againstwhich FPIC implementation will be evaluated, since FMO has adopted IFC’s performance standards. This research provided communities with the opportunity to express their views on how agreement-making with communities has taken place, how consent has beenreached, and how FPIC has been implemented. Documenting and sharing lessons learned with stakeholders nationally and globally is key in improving the situation for the affected communities of the Trishuli dam, as well as FPIC practices in Nepal, and around the world. This report follows and builds on research, carried out by LAHURNIP in 2017, in Rasuwa District. This research highlighted key concerns from communities related to inadequate consultation and engagement in decision making. In 2018 in a three-month period, an FPIC process took place, even though we can challenge the fact that the Free and Prior components were already violated, as land was acquired already back in 2011 and 2012. The need for Phase IV of the Advocacy Program (April 2025 –March 2026) stems from the notable progress achieved during Phases I, II, and III. These phases led to significant outcomes, including the inclusion of three additional villages in the IPP, raising the total number of beneficiary villages to 13. They alsoresulted in the development and endorsement of comprehensive IPP guidelines and the establishment of strong, cooperative relationships between the company, project team, and community members. Additionally, each village demonstrated their commitment by designing their own IPP programs and budgets based on their real needs, and the implementation of IPPs began in real field settings in 2024. Despite these accomplishments, there remain critical areas that require further intervention and strengthening. Onepressing issue is the need to increase the overall IPP budget to align with the specific needs of each of the 13 villages, ensuring it effectively reflects the priorities of the communities. Another crucial area is the expansion of the IPP's scope and budget to address the communities' requirements for additional land purchase for relocation support to seven vulnerable communities. Phase IV of the advocacy program will focus on tackling these challenges, further fortifying the program to meet the evolvingneeds of the communities and ensure its continued success.

Nepal will utilize two pronged approaches: (i) Deepening and diversifying the ongoing work of SDHS in two districts of SudurpaschimProvince as a core impact site; and (ii) Expanding in a new district in Karnali Province as a scaling out/up site. The project will benefit a total of 15,000 beneficiaries (2,500 direct and an additional 12,500 indirect beneficiaries) through partnerships with governments (local to national), CSOs and networks, and development partners with similar priorities active in the regions. In 2024, the project will establish partnerships with government, National Federation of Farmers Group (NFGF), Community Seed Bank Association of Nepal (CSBAN), Land Rights and Right to Food Networks, and value chain actors and private sectors. Global Partners and Allies will include (1) Agroecology Coalition: The program partner (LI-BIRD) will join the Agroecology coalition and contribute to the Agroecology Campaign by sharing the ground evidence and documentation and forge collaboration to strengthen the Agroecology movement in Nepal. (2) Farmer Managed Systems Group led by Oxfam Novib and CRS: The program will actively contribute on issues related to farmer-managed seed systems by sharing Nepal learnings in Farmer's Variety Registration and Source Maintenance Forum. The program will actively participate and engage in organising workshops and side events in relevant international forums such as CBD and ITPGRFA. (3) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD): IFAD is supporting Nepalgovernment in developing a project based on agroecology entitled ‘Resilient High-Value Agriculture Project (R-HVAP)’ to be implemented in Sudurpaschim, Karnali and Lumbini Provinces. LI-BIRD contributed significantly to the design of this project, and expects to collaborate during the implementation phase.

The Rockstart Impact projects aims to make sustainable impact in Nepal by supporting 10 local aspiring Nepali entrepreneurs and make them investment-ready in 100 days. They support and develop companies that form the missing link in Nepal's current supply chain. Companies that can reach "the bottom of the pyramid" and offer farmers trade for livelihood; effective, sustainable and in the handsof talented Nepali entrepreneurs. Making them more self-reliant and strengthening the local capacities and economies.

On April 25 a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal, with epicentre in Lamjung District, located 81km northwest of Kathmandu with adepth of 15 km. On May 12, a second 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Chilankha village in Dolakha District. According to the GON, 31 out of Nepal's 75 districts have been affected by the May 12 (second) earthquake. Sindhupalchok district, the worst-affected by the initial earthquake, is now further affected, as is Dolakha. Oxfam in implementing a humanitarian response across 7 districts,within districts the local administration is coordinating the response; the government is assigning geographic areas of focus to the incoming INGO community. The current confirmed target populations is 327,625. The programme target remains 400,000, this is based on the assumption that additional VDCs will be allocated to Oxfam in Dhading and Nuwakot. Giro 555 (SHO) started a public appeal shortly after the first earthquake. Oxfam Novib will receive approximately Euro 3 million which will be a contribution to Oxfam's overall earthquake response in Nepal. The response will focus on three thematic areas: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH); Emergency Food Security and Livelihoods; and Emergency Shelter. Gender and protection will be cross cutting.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.

The Joint Humanitarian Response for Nepal Earthquake (NPJR) provides life-saving humanitarian assistance to communities affected bythe Earthquake of 25th April 2015 and ensure efficient implementation of humanitarian response activities on behalf of theDutch Relief Alliance participating members. This 6-month joint programme is implemented in the most affected districts (Nuwakot, Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Lalitpur, Lamjung, Ghorka, Sindhupalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk) by 8 Dutch NGOs, led by Oxfam. Together they work towards three specific objectives: 1) Increase in mortality and morbidity and outbreaks of communicable diseases are prevented through immediate access to basic water, sanitation, hygiene and health services. 2) Families whose homes have been destroyed or damaged, including those displaced, attain basic, protective shelter solutions. 3) Immediate food needs of earthquake affected populations in worst affected districts are met and nutritional status of the most vulnerable populations is prevented from deteriorating. The Joint Response will support 138,640 people in need. The total available budget for the Joint Response is Euro 4 million, funded by MoFA.