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Peace will make it easier for World Vision to reach the people of Nepal with healthcare, education and clean drinking water
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World Vision welcomes this week’s historic peace treaty in Nepal and the opportunities and improvements it will bring to the Nepalese people. Nepal is one of the poorest countries in Asia.
The treaty between Maoist rebels and the Nepalese government ends an 11-year-long insurgency that has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands from their village.
World Vision Nepal has been delivering long-term development programs in ten districts of Nepal since 2001. While these activities have been able to continue with few interruptions during the conflict, peace brings potential for greater coverage by these programs.
“With the chance for peace getting better, we hope to get increased access to reach needy children and their communities,” David Purnell, National Director of World Vision Nepal, said.
While the Nepal Army returns to barracks, the rebels, under United Nations supervision, will disarm their forces and store the weapons under lock and key.
The Maoists will send 73 persons as representatives in the planned 330 member interim parliament. The new unicameral parliament will include existing members of parliament excepting some supporters king’s rule and other members of seven political parties.
Incumbent Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala is expected to head the interim government. According to the agreement, the present parliament will be dissolved, the interim parliament will be formed and an interim Constitution will be declared on 26 November. The interim government will be formed by 1 December.
The rebels and the political party leaders have agreed to hold a Constituent Assembly in the third week of May next year. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly will decide whether Nepal will be a monarchy. The Assembly will also write a new Constitution for Nepal.
King Gyanendra gave up his active rule in April last year following massive protests from the people, as Maoists and political parties joined hands against the king’s rule.
Currently about 42% of Nepal’s 24 million people live in poverty, particularly in rural areas; 37% of them are classified as extremely poor (cannot meet their basic needs). Around 48% of children are malnourished and nearly one in 10 children dies before the age of five. (UNDP figures).
