Nepal

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The Facts

  • The population is 28 million.
  • Average life expectancy is 60 years.
  • 31% of the population lives below the poverty line.
  • Half of the population is illiterate.

Nepal is a landlocked country which shares borders with China and India. Its climate varies from cool summers and severe winters in the mountainous north to subtropical summers and mild winters in the south. Flooding, landslides and drought can occur depending on the timing, intensity and duration of the summer monsoons.

Three quarters of the population rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. The main export commodities are manufactured goods such as carpets, clothing and leather goods and processed agricultural products such as jute and grain. Foreign trade and investment has been hampered by Nepal’s poor infrastructure, geographical isolation and by recent political instability. It has been estimated that almost half of the working age population is unemployed or underemployed.

ActionAid in Nepal

ActionAid International started operating in Nepal in 1982 and now works with over 350,000 people there.

Our Programme work focusses on

  • Health
  • Water and sanitation
  • Education
  • Livelihoods.

ActionAid Ireland also supports a women’s rights programme, an education programme, and a programme for freed Kamaiya (bonded labourers) in Nepal.

  • The women’s rights programme aims to reduce stigma and discrimination and increase the information and services available to women living with HIV and AIDS.
  • The education programme is working towards increasing quality of education and community participation in school management.
  • While the focus of the freed Kamaiya programme is on providing housing and livelihood opportunities to women who are former bonded labourers.