23 Oct 2017

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) estimated that more than 41 million people have been affected by the South Asia flood disaster. In Nepal co-ops have set out a plan to help members affected by floods across 35 of the country’s districts.

The National Cooperative Federation of Nepal (NCF/N) estimates that 31 out of 77 districts in Nepal have been affected by the flood and landslides due to heavy monsoon rains in the month of August. One hundred and twenty three people have lost their lives and thousands have been displaced from their homes. As informed by member organisations from the affected areas, office equipment, construction materials and stock such as seeds and fertilisers have been lost.

Many co-operatives have stepped up efforts using their own resources to support affected people by providing relief materials. NCF/N has contributed Rs.2.5 million to the Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund from the Co-operative Disaster Relief Fund. NCF/N is the process of collecting data of losses in the sector and drawing up a plan to support their members financially and technically.

NACCFL’s programme will focus on providing access to basic health services, introducing income-generating activities providing vegetable seeds and seedlings for horticulture and building warehouses. It will give priority to co-operative members from the worst affected areas, particularly single women, disadvantage groups and those highly dependent on agriculture.