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USAID/OTI Nepal Program Description
Dates of Program: June 2006 - Present
Nepal has suffered from a decade-long armed Maoist insurgency, a conflict that has had profound economic, social and psychological effects throughout the country. By some estimates, over 400,000 people remain displaced and over 13,000 have been killed. Infrastructure worth over US$1.5 billion has been destroyed, including government offices, state media facilities, schools and health posts. Until recently, the country suffered from continuing political instability due to nonexistent or dysfunctional local governance structures and the inability or disinterest of central government authorities to provide services to traditionally neglected areas and populations.
With the recent positive political momentum towards peace and democracy, the U.S. Agency for International Development's Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) has established a two-year fifteen million dollar program to help respond to the dramatic changes at hand. For the first time in ten years, opportunities exist to positively reinforce the peace process; build a stronger democracy; and, bring more stability to a country brutalized by civil war. In close coordination with existing USAID programs, OTI's initiative will seek to positively support the political consolidation of Nepal's government.
Program Goal and Objectives
The OTI program goal is to support a peaceful, democratic transition in Nepal. The objectives are to:
- Increase access to information and diversify public debate on issues critical to the political transition
- Increase effectiveness of key political transition institutions.
Program Activities
OTI continues to work closely with its implementing partner, Chemonics International, Inc., to determine appropriate interventions during Nepal's evolving political transition. With nearly one million dollars spent since July 2006, OTI is supporting efforts to increase access to information on the Comprehensive Peace Accord signed in November, 2006 between the Government of Nepal and the Maoists. Recently, OTI has launched a live, national, toll-free, call-in radio show which provides listeners throughout Nepal access to elected representatives, government officials, civil society leaders and other key people that are determining the future of Nepal. OTI is currently planning on training radio journalists whose enhanced reporting skills will help bring local and national voices to a single platform. Additionally OTI is supporting partners that are targeting youths with public service announcements providing details of the peace agreement.
Last updated: June 15, 2007
For further information, please contact:
In Washington, Brigitte Hoyer, 202-712-5212, bhoyer@usaid.gov
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