US Development Agency launches two projects in Nepal

The US has launched two new conflict management and mitigation projects worth USD 2.30 million in Nepal to help its strife-ridden districts to better address the root causes of conflicts by encouraging local-level reconciliation.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) projects - Community Initiatives for Common Understanding, and Inclusive Resource Management Initiative, will focus on the western and eastern regions of Nepal.
The projects will address the root causes of conflict by bringing together representatives of conflicting groups to seek solutions in a safe space, a statement from the US Embassy here said.
Implemented by Saferworld, Community Initiatives for Common Understanding is a three-year, USD 1.14 million project to foster understanding and cooperation between conflicting groups in 15 localities in the Kailali, Bardiya, Surkhet, Banke, and Sunsari districts in western and eastern Nepal.

The project will engage 9,000 at-risk and conflict-affected youth, including ex-combatants in partnership with two local organisations, the statement said.
The Inclusive Resource Management Initiative is a two-year, USD 1.16 million project to enhance stability through natural resource conflict resolution and inclusive natural resource management in 20 localities of Kailali, Bardiya, Banke, and Dang districts.

Mercy Corps will implement the project through two local partners- Backward Society Education and Shakarmi Samaj.
IRMI will benefit 237,000 community members, particularly youth and women in these four districts which experience natural resources pressures.
USAID is a federal agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. Created by former President John F. Kennedy in 1961, it operates in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe.