UNICEF has been working hard in Nepal for over 5 decades to improve life for children and women. Some key focus areas are health, nutrition, education, child protection, and social inclusion.
In health, UNICEF supports immunization of over 3 million children against diseases like measles and polio. They've helped reduce the under-five mortality rate by more than 70% since 1990. On sanitation, UNICEF has facilitated the construction of over 500,000 toilets in schools and communities.
For education, UNICEF helped draft Nepal's School Sector Development Plan which aims to enroll 98% of primary school-aged children. They also support over 500 early childhood development centers.
On nutrition, UNICEF treated over 100,000 Nepali children for severe acute malnutrition in 2019 alone. They promote exclusive breastfeeding for newborns - Nepal's rate is around 70% currently.
On protection, UNICEF has helped register over 8 million children’s births in Nepal to date. This helps protect their rights and access to essential services. UNICEF also runs over 1,000 child clubs in schools to teach students about child rights.
With Nepal's geography and poverty, UNICEF has lots of challenges. But their programs reached over 6.4 million children and women in 2019, helping advance Nepal's progress on issues like health, sanitation, nutrition, and education access. There is still much work to be done, but UNICEF continues to make a positive impact.
Some additional details about UNICEF's work in Nepal:
- In emergencies, UNICEF provides critical supplies and services. For example, after the 2015 earthquakes, UNICEF helped reunite over 3,500 separated children with their families.
- On water and sanitation, UNICEF has helped provide access to clean drinking water for over 6 million Nepalis living in mountain regions. This reduces water-borne diseases.
- For menstrual hygiene, UNICEF is campaigning against chhaupadi practices that isolate menstruating women. They are also distributing hygiene kits to adolescent girls.
- On nutrition, UNICEF screens over 1.2 million children annually for malnutrition. Those diagnosed are provided with nutrient supplements and therapeutic feeding.
- To promote inclusion, UNICEF advocates for policies and programs benefiting children with disabilities. Initiatives include expanding inclusive education and assistive devices.
- UNICEF also provides technical expertise to Nepal's government on issues like health systems strengthening, data collection, and evidence-based policymaking.
- UNICEF has over 150 staff based in Nepal implementing programs across the country. They work closely with government agencies, civil society partners, and communities.
- UNICEF relies entirely on voluntary donations to fund its work. Nepal receives support from UNICEF national committees around the world, especially from Japan, Germany, and the US.
Ongoing work of UNICEF Nepal
- On education, UNICEF is helping train teachers on child-centered pedagogies and assistive technologies for children with disabilities. They also support the construction of child-friendly school facilities, with access ramps, safe drinking water, and separate toilets for girls.
- For early childhood development, UNICEF advocates for increased investment in services like daycare, preschool, and parenting programs. This aims to support development during a child's most critical years.
- On health, UNICEF helps procure and distribute vaccines for polio, measles, rubella, and other diseases. In 2019, over 3 million children were immunized with UNICEF's support.
- For newborn care, UNICEF is equipping hospitals with incubators, oxygen supplies, and other equipment. They also train health workers on neonatal resuscitation to save infant lives.
- On nutrition, UNICEF provides therapeutic foods for severely malnourished children in Nepal's remote regions. This is especially crucial during monsoon seasons when access is hampered.
- For safe water access, UNICEF helps communities build gravity flow schemes that pipe water downhill from mountain springs. Over 600 such systems now provide clean water to rural villages.
- During disasters, UNICEF distributes critical supplies like medicines, water purifying tablets, temporary learning spaces, and tents for displaced families. This supports rapid emergency response.
- UNICEF also runs youth empowerment programs including vocational training, life skills classes, counseling, and work experience schemes for disadvantaged adolescents.
- Across all programs, UNICEF emphasizes sustainability through local capacity building, community ownership, and developing national systems like Nepal's health and education ministries.