The first phase of the Rs 1.8 billion support program aims to reduce the vulnerability of 2 million women and men in the Mid and Far Western Regions where the impacts of climate change are already being felt. [break]
The program will also be the first to help communities in the Mid and Far West implement most urgent and immediate adaptation actions included in the National Adaptation Program of Action (NAPA). The actions include support for irrigation, landslide and flood protection, access to clean energy and introduction of more climate-resilient crops.
A press statement issued by the ministry informed that the first phase of the program will focus on 14 districts in the Mid and Far Western Regions, which have been identified as most climate-vulnerable areas requiring urgent support. NAPA has categorized Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, Bajura, Jumla, Jajarkot, Rukum, Achham, Dailekh, Rolpa, Kailali, Bardiya, Kalikot and Dang as the most vulnerable districts.
The conference, inaugurated by President Dr Ram Baran Yadav Thursday, is being participated by more than 70 representatives from about 30 mountain countries and also representatives of various donor agencies and a host of national and international non-governmental organizations.
Addressing the inaugural function, Dr Yadav said mountains all over the world are facing disproportionate impacts of climate change and if action is not taken promptly people worldwide are likely to face more natural disasters, greater food insecurity and acute water shortages in future.
Stating that the mountain initiative launched by Nepal is a commitment that demands action at the global, regional and national levels, Dr Yadav stressed the need to address the common interests of mountainous countries and regions, adding that the initiative can provide a framework and a platform for them.
“You have a seemingly impossible challenge ahead of you,” he said adding, “but I believe having this group of committed and learned delegates from around the world here in Nepal is the first step toward tackling the challenge. It can be done. We can do it collectively.”
Meanwhile, addressing a separate session, Dr Rajendra Kumar Pachauri, chairman of the UN´s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), said that some of the worst impacts of climate change will be on women, and therefore, they should be put in the forefront when any country develops adaptation and mitigation strategies.
“The countries within the South Asia region have enormous interdependence,” he said, “So they should come up with collective efforts in addressing environmental issues including climate change.”
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