Humanitarian Programme

Oxfam's humanitarian programme works for disaster preparedness and response during a disaster. Oxfam in Nepal has experience of working in emergencies such as Koshi Floods of 2008, Banke floods of 2014 and the devastating earthquake of April 2015, and the 2017 floods. 

Through the current humanitarian programme, Nepal Earthquake Recovery Programme, Oxfam responded to the earthquake-affected population in seven of the 14 most affected districts: Gorkha, Nuwakot, Dhading, Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. In the last three years, Oxfam in Nepal has reached out to more than 600,000 people who were affected by the earthquakes of 2015. This programme will continue to support survivors in rebuilding their lives until 2020 through the following areas:

WASH

Oxfam in the initial phase focused on minimising health risks in emergency camps/shelters through emergency hygiene and sanitation promotion. Oxfam and its partners now focus on total sanitation practices. WASH supports the reconstruction of community drinking water systems and school toilets. Oxfam strengthens the government’s movement for Open Defecation Free areas. To support adolescent girl students, female friendly toilets and Menstrual Hygiene Management are promoted. Oxfam also supports local government’s disaster preparedness and initates community based stock piling and contingency plans.

Housing

Oxfam started distributing emergency shelter kits just days after the earthquake.  VDCs with extensive damage were selected for Oxfam’s Improved Shelter program. With its partners, Oxfam trained masons, carpenters and vulnerable women in building safe shelters. In the reconstruction phase, Oxfam and partners focus on capacity building of local communities on earthquake resilient construction practices.  The activities include vocational training and support in market recovery, as well as community awareness classes and enrollment support through VDC based Information Centres.  Livestock shelter and granary construction support is being offered too. 

Gender and Protection

Gender and Protection is a cross cutting theme in Oxfam’s Humanitarian Programme. Since over a quarter of damaged houses are owned by single women, and few of them have access to land documents, women are in danger of being excluded from reconstruction. Oxfam and its partner established Women’s Centres ensure that females have a safe space to meet and receive legal and psychosocial counselling. Thousands of women benefit from awareness raising events and access to provisions and services. Oxfam assessed the impact of the earthquake on single women and lobbies for their safety and inclusion in reconstruction. 

Livelihood Recovery Programme

Oxfam and its partners aim for complete recovery of livelihoods losses and support households to diversify their livelihoods in order to strengthen their resilience to future shocks. In the emergency phase Oxfam distributed food items, seeds and storage containers as well as cash vouchers. In the recovery phase Oxfam and its partners use market based approaches for restarting economic activities.  Capital and training are issued to (re)establish local businesses. To rebuild community services and provide vulnerable families with much needed income, vulnerable households participate in Cash for Work projects.

Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation

Oxfam in Nepal aims to strengthen the coping capacities of vulnerable women and men to better deal with natural disasters and climate related shocks through its Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation programme. Oxfam believes that communities should be the first responders who could be prepared for disasters and respond effectively at the time of emergencies. 

Our Partners

• LUMANTI– Support Group for Shelter
• Environment and Public Health Organization (ENPHO)
• Women for Human Rights, Single Women Group (WHR)
• Center for Integrated Urban Development (CIUD)
• Home Net Nepal 
• Mahila Atma Nirvarta Kendra – MANK
• Gramin Mahila Srijansil Pariwar (GMSP)
• Janahit Gramin Sewa Samittee (JGSS)
• Community Development and Environment Conservation Forum (CDECF)
• Centre for Energy & Environment Development (CEED)
• Sindhu Development Center
• Development Project Service Center – Nepal DEPROSC
• Kakani Centre for Development of Community (KCDC)
• Sahayata Samajik Sanstha (SSS)
• Community & Rural Development Society Nepal (CARDSN)
• Tulsi Mehar UNESCO Club (TMUC) –Gorkha Chapter
• Goreto Gorkha
• Unification Nepal
• Forum for Community Upliftment System (FOCUS Nepal)
• Prayatnasil Community Development Society (PRAYAS –Nepal)
• ACTION  Nepal
• Committed Society for Change (COSOC)
• Shanti Nepal
• Karnali Intergraded Rural Development And Research Center (KIRDARC Nepal)
• Himalayan Conservation Group, Nepal
• Society for Integrated Allied Nepal