Policymakers said that reconstruction and rehabilitation works – post April 25 devastating earthquake – should focus on promoting resilient livelihoods.
“Livelihood recovery strategy must not only redress the damage caused by the earthquake, but it must also help build the resilience of communities to future shocks,” National Planning Commission (NPC) vice chair Dr Govinda Pokharel, said launching the framework, ‘Strategic Framework for Resilient Livelihoods in Earthquake-Affected areas of Nepal’ in the Valley today.
“This Framework will be beneficial to the government, the private sector, and other development agencies in streamlining development efforts in the process of rebuilding the nation,” he said, adding that the planning commission is happy to work with ICIMOD on the development of the livelihood recovery strategy; more specifically.
The planning commission – in collaboration with International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) – has released the book that has highlighted on strengthening skills and capacity of affected people, revitalising farming, tourism and other enterprises and empowering community of the resilient livelihood strategy.
ICIMOD director general David Molden, on the occasion, said that the strategic framework aims to complement the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) of the government. “It will provide insights into the livelihood dimensions of the earthquake and its socio-economic impacts,” he added.
The Framework outlines some key elements including creation of an enabling policy and institutional environment that should be included in a livelihood recovery strategy. Likewise, it has also outlined engaging and coordinating diverse stakeholders, strengthening the skills and capacity of affected people, tapping the potential of internal and external job markets, facilitating structural transformation from low to high productivity sectors, ensuring gender equality and social inclusion by integrating women and marginalized groups, and promoting community empowerment. Likewise, it has also stressed on integrating ecosystem and biodiversity conservation into the livelihood recovery process, revitalising farming and tourism sectors and revitalising micro, small, and medium enterprises.