Lalitpur, Nepal: Poverty Alleviation

Lalitpur is the second largest city of Nepal with a rapidly growing population of 115,865 in 1991. The city itself adjoins Kathmandu, the capital, and its growth is largely due to the increase in tourism related activities following the opening up of the valley to foreign tourists in 1951. Increased migration has led to increased disparity in incomes, and the slum population of Lalitpur is on the increase. A 1999 survey indicates an extremely high poverty level at 70%. 

With poverty as its most critical concern, the Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City (LSMC) undertook a city consultation with UMP to address urban poverty issues and build upon existing community structures in a participatory way. A series of small focus-group meetings, followed by major pre-consultation meetings, were organized to collect first-hand information on the poverty situation, create awareness and share ideas and knowledge about the UMP initiative. The findings from these meetings were presented in the major city consultation, which brought stakeholders together and helped identify and suggest ways to tackle the major poverty issues, including deteriorating economic conditions, low levels of education, inadequate primary health care, and inadequate basic facilities. 

Results
• A comprehensive effort on health, education, skill development, savings and micro-credit, and basic services delivery was launched in five of the poorest communities in the city on a pilot basis
• Four thematic working groups were formed, along with a Task Force with the secretariat responsibility being borne by the Community Development Section of LSMC 
• A comprehensive poverty profile of Lalitpur was prepared; the first document of its kind in Nepal
• An Urban Poor Fund was developed, into which the city has contributed through a budgetary allocation
• User groups for basic services were formed in five communities, with 26 toilets constructed
• Savings and credit groups were formed and training and health awareness campaigns undertaken
• Basic literacy classes, post literacy classes, facilitators’ training, tuition support to poor children and establishment of two Community Learning Centres were completed in the communities

Follow up
Efforts are being up-scaled in the coming year and a city-wide, long-term perspective for poverty alleviation in Lalitpur will be developed. Thematic action plans will be further developed, refined and consolidated into a Strategic Action Plan for Poverty Alleviation, with pilot activities continuing along side this process. Activities related to income generation, thrift and credit, health, education, community development and basic service provision will be initiated in seven new areas. Getting the Municipality Association of Nepal involved will help advance the participatory consultation process on a nation-wide basis.

 

Regional Offices & Activities