The Government of Nepal and the Government of the UK signed MoUs

Government of Nepal and United Kingdom Sign Two MoUs for RAIN and Samartha Programmes

The Government of Nepal and the Government of the United Kingdom today signed two separate Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) related to grant support. The first is for the RAIN (Resilience, Adaptation, and Inclusion in Nepal) programme, with funding of £38.5 million (approximately NPR 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 Madhesh provinces.

Dhani Ram Sharma and Pippa Bird signed MoUs 
Pic credit:- Uk in Nepal

The MoUs were signed by Dhani Ram Sharma, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Finance on behalf of the Government of Nepal and Pippa Bird, Development Director and Deputy Ambassador, British Embassy Kathmandu, on behalf of the Government of the United Kingdom. 

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

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. This programme will be implemented by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP). Samartha will operate in the Lumbini and Madhesh provinces.

Dhani Ram Sharma of the Ministry of Finance acknowledged the UK’s continued support and stated: “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.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the Ministry of Finance, 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.

Ministry of Finance

Singhadurbar, Kathmandu

August 28, 2024 (Bhadra 12, 2081)

                               [Source:- Uk in Nepal]