Nepal

Extreme poverty, social marginalization and conflict have severely limited the economic potential, decision-making ability and access to basic services of Nepali communities.

Photo: Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps works in Nepal to increase resilience to shocks, expand economic opportunities and foster social inclusion through supporting agricultural livelihoods, reducing the risks of disasters and expanding access to financial services.

Special Report: Unshackling Potential ›

Conflict, ethnic discord and slavery have long kept western Nepal poor and hopeless. Mercy Corps is helping youth unite and change society.

Nourishing Opportunity ›

Topics: Agriculture, Economic Development, Financial Services, Food/Nutrition, Livelihoods, Rural, Women's Empowerment

Phoolmaya Shrestha spent years selling snacks to schoolchildren to keep her family afloat — but now, with a loan facilitated by Mercy Corps, she's found new opportunities.

Video: The Promise of Cardamom, Part 1 ›

Large cardamom pods are a crop that presents an excellent opportunity to Nepalese farmers and exporters because it has a high value on the world market and is easy to cultivate.

Video: The Promise of Cardamom, Part 2 ›

Mercy Corps' innovative new Panchthar Premium Cardamom project will support marginalised small cardamom farmers to raise their incomes by helping them improve the quality of the cardamom they produce.

Helping Poor Farmers ›

Topics: Agriculture, Economic Development

We've teamed up with the Whole Planet Foundation and Nirdhan Utthan Bank to help farming families escape the cycle of debt and finally climb out of poverty.

Video: Prepping for Crisis ›

Topics: Emergencies

Nepal is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, ranking 11th in global vulnerability to earthquakes and 30th in vulnerability to floods.

The Last Girl In School ›

Topics: Children, Economic Development, Education, Peaceful Change

For the last few years, 12-year-old Anita has stayed home while her peers walked to the village school. But not today.

Optimism and Action Transform a Village ›

Topics: Peaceful Change, Education, Economic Development

In the village of Bichpuri, trees and vegetables are part of the reason that no one is without the possibility of an education.

Rising From Violence ›

Topics: Economic Development, Education, Peaceful Change

On a hot August day, violence and ruin came to the Geti camp. Less than a week later, good neighbors were helping shaken families rebuild their homes.

Change Begins Within ›

Topics: Economic Development, Education, Peaceful Change

A 14-year-old son of bonded laborers brought learning to his people through literacy classes — and ended up leading a movement that resulted in freedom.

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Nepal Facts

Population (2008): 29.5 million
Size: 94th largest country
Human Development Index rank: 145 (out of 179)
Mercy Corps has worked here since 2006
Primary work: agriculture, microfinance and disaster risk reduction
Population below the poverty rate: 31%
Percentage of working-age population under 24 years old: 38% (World Bank)
Unemployment rate: 42%

Program Details

Mercy Corps works in Nepal to help communities achieve greater prosperity, decrease social marginalization and to improve environmental sustainability.

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