The United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) for Nepal consolidates the UN System’s common strategy on how best to support development needs in the current transition context of Nepal. Drafted in close consultation with the Government of Nepal (GoN), civil society and donor representatives, the UNDAF (2008-2010) responds to national priorities that were identified in the Three-Year Interim Plan (2007-2010) of the GoN. It is guided by the goals and targets of the Millennium Declaration of 2000. Peace and development for an inclusive society are at the core of the UNDAF, which builds on the analysis of the 2007 Common Country Assessment (CCA). The UNDAF therefore, is the product of collaboration between the UN Country Team (UNCT), and is driven by the needs and priorities of the Nepali people and the GoN.
Considering the fragile situation of Nepal and with GoN’s approval, the UNCT decided in 2009 to extend the UNDAF’s tenure with two additional years (2011-2012), making it de-facto a five-year strategic document. Against this backdrop, there is a need to assess its continued relevance and re-align its priorities with GoN’s next Three-Year Plan (TYP) as well as with the Peace and Development Strategy (PDS) of Nepal’s Development Partners.
The four interlinked UNDAF outcomes have emerged as priorities for the UNCT’s support to Nepal: A) National institutions, processes and initiatives to consolidate peace are strengthened; B) Socially excluded and economically marginalized groups have increased access to improved quality basic services; C) Sustainable livelihood opportunities are expanded, especially for socially excluded groups in conflict affected areas; D) Respect, promotion and protection of human rights are strengthened for all, especially for women and the socially excluded, for sustained peace and inclusive development. In addition, a number of cross-cutting issues, relevant to each of the four priority areas, have been identified. They include Peace Building, Human Rights, Gender and Social Inclusion, and Governance. The main risk factors, which could inhibit Nepal from achieving the UNDAF outcomes are peace collapse, raised expectations by the people, natural disasters and pandemics, and problems of institutional capacity and fiduciary.
The UNCT offers comparative advantages in all four UNDAF areas by drawing on its longstanding track record in Nepal, its networks on the ground and its neutrality. However, in order to achieve substantial progress in the four areas, the UNCT will collaborate with Government agencies at the national, district and local level and it will partner with civil society and donors.
The UNCT estimates that approximately USD 360 million is required for the United Nations contribution to the achievement of the UNDAF Outcomes. This total includes the financial allocations of the United Nations organizations present in Nepal and the resources that these organizations expect to mobilize from external sources.With the two-year extension, there is also a need to adjust the UN’s estimated funding need for the additional period. Similarly, there is a need to assess the practicality and use of coordination and implementation mechanisms. A progress review and an evaluation of the current UNDAF will be conducted early 2011, providing assessment of progress towards the UNDAF outcomes and determine the level of achievement of the outcomes.
