The presence of committed development agencies in rural areas, combined with concrete development work, has a significant mitigating effect on the political and social conflicts. Indeed the strengthening of social relations at the local level generally fosters a climate of mutual trust that inhibits human rights violations and opens space to cope with the enduring violence. Thus, component 2, while bringing tangible benefits to the people, has the purpose to protect each person as well as the local civil society, strengthen their capacity to cope with the conflict and maintain and, if possible, widen the space for development. To this end and to ensure staff security, component 2 follows an adjusted and innovative modus operandi. It delivers to geographical clusters areas, in a conflict sensitive manner, services in technical domains in which SDC and its main partners have a proven capacity.

Rural Infrastructure    

Mobility is an important prerequisite for the social and economic exchange in any society and Nepal's socio-economic activities rely heavily on trail and road based transport. Therefore maintenance of the existing roads and trail network and opening up additional areas with roads is the major objective of this sector, thereby facilitating the mobility of the people and the exchange of goods in Nepal.   

Projects at a glance

• Trail Bridge Sub-Sector Programme (TBBSP), Phase 2
• District Roads Support Program (DRSP), Phase 3
• Local Infrastructure for Livelihood Improvement (LILI)
  

Natural Resource Management      

The Natural Resource Management sector programme in Nepal aims at improving the livelihood of small farming families in rural areas through the sustainable management of natural resources and the protection of the natural heritage of Nepal. To this end, programme implementation takes care not to address ecological issues in isolation, but in combination with economic and social issues through the promotion of income generating activities as well as increased awareness of gender and social equity in communities and partner institutions.

Projects at a glance

• Homegarden, Phase 2
• Vegetable Seeds, Phase 2
• Hill Maize Research Project (HMRP), Phase 3
• Nepal Swiss Community Forestry Project (NSCFP), Phase 5
• Sustainable Soil Management Project (SSMP), Phase 3
• Support to IUCN Nepal, Phase 6
• Vertical Shaft Brick Kiln (VSBK), Phase 4
  

Health Promotion

Poor public health is one of the main cause as well as a consequence of poverty.  Nepal has some of the highest maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates in the world, affecting both individual and family overall well-being, and influenced heavily by issues of inaccessibility and  social exclusion. SDC’s primary purpose in Nepal is to fight poverty through participatory  programmes that are inclusive of disadvantaged peoples and ensure gender equity. SDC is committed to supporting the Government of Nepal’s implementation of policy and programmes that benefit the poorest and most disadvantaged, particularly those affected by conflict.  

Projects at a glance

• Rural Health Development Project (RHDP), Phase 6  
• Jiri Hospital Rehabilitation Project
   

Occupational and Vocational Skills Development    

The overall objective of the Occupational Skill Development (OSD) sector is income generation and employment promotion. In order to contribute to this overall objective, the sector supports and promotes three domains, which are employment oriented and affordable Occupational Skills development through Technical Education and Vocational Training, Self Employment promotion as well as micro and small enterprise development. The creation of an enabling environment as well as the promotion of linkages between the three domains as well as with other sectors are encouraged to enhance the impact of the program. 

Projects at a glance

• Franchising-Skill (F-SKILL), Phase 2
• Raising Impact of National Skill Testing (NSTB), Phase 1 
• Technical Assistance to ADB SKill for Employment Project

Humanitarian Aid      

In Nepal, SDC humanitarian aid interventions are focused on rehabilitation activities after natural disasters and emergencies related to conflict or human made crises. Floods and landslides are a constant threat in Nepal causing recurring disasters. However, only in the worst cases, SDC is in a position to support the country with major contributions. For example after the devastating floods of 2002, SDC supported the rehabilitation of bridges, road sections of the strategic road network, as well as the preventive construction of dikes in extremely vulnerable areas. Emergency support was provided to drought affected people as well as to the Bhutanese Refugees through World Food Programme (WFP) in 2006 and 2007 respectively. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) activities are supported by an annual core contribution. In addition, a small emergency fund allows reacting efficiently in case of localized disasters particularly in the SDC geographic clusters. Besides, the Swiss INGO Terre des Hommes Lausannes (TdH L) is supported for rehabilitation of conflict affected women in Lalitpur district. 

• SDC Humanitarian Aid Interventions in Nepal at a glance