Ministry of Federal Affairs and Local Development (MoFALD), in collaboration with UN World Food Programme (WFP) and HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation in Nepal, today launched a precious new development tool for remote communities the Village Development Periodic Plan (VDPP) in Jumla.

The process of creating such integrated plans to promote bottom-up planning, good governance and social inclusion began in 2013 among the Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Jumla, Mugu, Doti and Bajura Districts.

“I am very pleased this event is taking place today in Jumla for the launch of such an important and valuable tool that will allow development resources to be streamlined and better-matched with local needs,” WFP Nepal representative Nicole Menage said, adding that the result of an intensive planning process over the past months led by ministry, which has brought together the government, WFP, HELVETAS and all the concerned agencies.

“A periodic planning document like this is a valuable instrument for promoting democracy and making the local planning process more socially inclusive, transparent, responsible and accountable,” HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Deputy Country Director Dr Bharat Kumar Pokharel said addressing the event also attended by deputy prime minister and minister for Federal Affairs and Local Development Prakash Man Singh, senior officials from local government bodies, civil society and development partners.

The VDCs now have a framework to help them prioritise their investments in development, he added.

In Nepal, WFP has been actively supporting the government in tackling food insecurity while focusing on social safety nets in the areas of health, education and rural livelihoods. In 2014, WFP Nepal plans to provide food and cash assistance to about 500,000 food-insecure people, mainly in the Mid- and Far-Western hill and mountain areas.

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