Nepal, UK sign two deals on Rs. 13 bn grant support

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Aug.30: The government of Nepal and the government of the United Kingdom signed two separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) related to grant support. 

The first is for the Resilience, Adaptation, and Inclusion in Nepal (RAIN) programme, with funding of £38.5 million (approximately Rs. 6.5 billion).

The second is for the Samartha Programme - Enhancing Gender & Human Development Outcomes Through Systems Strengthening with £38.8 million in support (approximately NPR 6.58 billion). 

These programmes are aimed at strengthening the capacities of local governments and communities most affected by climate change, as well as building human capital and improving the delivery of basic services in Karnali, Lumbini, and Madhes provinces, according to a press statement of the Ministry of Finance. 

Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary of Ministry of Finance and Pippa Bird, Development Director and Deputy Ambassador, British Embassy Kathmandu, have signed the MoU on behalf of their respective governments amidst a function at the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday.

The Resilience, Adaptation, and Inclusion in Nepal (RAIN) programme is a six-year initiative that will be implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Forest and Environment to strengthen disaster risk management and climate change adaptation, respectively. 

The RAIN programme will operate in Karnali, Lumbini, and Madhes provinces. 

Similarly, Samartha is a seven-year programme designed to enhance the systems and capacities of provincial and local governments to expand access to and deliver quality social services, with a particular focus on the education and health sectors, said the Ministry. 

This programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology and the Ministry of Health and Population.

The Samartha Programme will operate in the Lumbini and Madhes provinces. 

On the occasion Joint Secretary Sharma acknowledged the UK's continued support.

He said, "These two MoUs are a testament to the cordial and steadfast development cooperation between our two countries. I believe that the FCDO and the relevant line ministries will coordinate effectively to achieve the objectives of these programmes. Additionally, this cooperation will be crucial in advancing Nepal's socio-economic landscape, with a particular focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives outlined in the 16th Periodic Plan, including social services, climate resilience, and human capital development." 

British Embassy's Development Director and Deputy Ambassador Pippa Bird said, "We are committed to supporting Nepal address the challenges brought by climate change, global and regional health threats, and scarce resources to provide social services. Among others, these programmes will build resilience to natural disasters and climate change and improve the delivery of basic services to the most vulnerable." 

These programmes build on the 200-year-old trusted partnership between the UK and Nepal, supporting the government of Nepal and its communities to build strong health, education, water and sanitation, climate adaptation, and disaster preparedness systems. 

The government of Nepal expresses its sincere appreciation to the government of United Kingdom for this assistance and for its continued support of the socio-economic development of Nepal.