The Provision of Vocational Training for Returning IDPs Affected by Koshi Floods (Completed)

Background and Objectives

On the 18th of August 2008, the Sapta Koshi River burst through its eastern embankment and flooded large areas of the Sunsari and Saptari districts of eastern Nepal. Substantial areas of surrounding countryside were completely submerged, resulting in the mass destruction of homes, asset depletion and farming land flooded. An estimated 70,000 people were directly affected by the floods, with around 35,000 (or 7,584 households) people displaced, with severe damage to homes and livelihoods. In April 2009, an estimated 60% of registered IDPs are expected to return to their places of origin, but with widespread destruction of farming land, it is improbable that the returning IDPs will have sufficient time to rehabilitate their productive land to meet this year's rice planting season. This will negatively impact their livelihoods and household food security.

The objectives of the recovery initiative is for UN-HABITAT to facilitate in providing vocational training for 250 identified beneficiaries (household/representatives) out of the expected 60% of returning IDPs - approximately 4,500 IDPs, and to further build the operational capacity of UN-HABITAT in performing its role as the Shelter Cluster Coordinator for the Inter Agency Standing Committee (IASC) in Nepal.

Activities

- To provide 250 returning IDP household head/representatives with a recognised technical vocational training that on completion, will improve medium - long term employment opportunities, increase their earning capacity to improve levels of household economic growth and food security, including shelter improvements;
- To ensure candidates selected for training is gender balanced and includes a high percentage of socially and culturally disadvantaged groups and the food insecure;
- To provide some training that will upgrade graduates with a semi - skilled status to improve opportunities to work in-country and in neighboring countries;
- To use this training initiative to strengthen UN-HABITAT operational capacity and experience in shelter coordination and secure further funding for remaining IDPs in camps.

Results

- 250 returning IDP household representatives will have received up to 400 hours of technical vocational training and shelter-related skills;
- All participants, for the duration of their vocational training, will have received a WFP food for training package thus ensuring household food security.