H.E. ambassadors of the EU delegation Veronica Cody and of Finland Pertti Anttinen visit RVWRMP
RVWRMP looks back at a successful visit of the H.E. ambassadors of the EU delegation Veronica Cody and the H.E. ambassador of Finland Pertti Anttinen. After visiting several project locations, the ambassadors expressed their appreciation for the work done by RVWRMP in a challenging context and thanked the RM Chairs, project staff and the communities who organized the wonderful visit.
It was a great honor for RVWRMP to receive the high level delegation of the EU and Finland. Both ambassadors represent over 500 Million people from Europe and Finland expressing the friendship and solidarity with the people in Nepal. The mission also enjoyed the presence of Ms Hanna Päivärinta from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Finland, Mr Stéphane David, Program Manager at the embassy of the EU delegation and Special Advisor to the Embassy of Finland Mr Chudamani Joshi and Ms Pamela White the Home Office Coordinator of the Finnish Consulting Group.
Having one ambassador visiting the project is special let alone two ambassadors visiting the project at the same time.
It was a good opportunity for RVWRMP to showcase the coordination with the Rural Municipality administrations for the implementation of multi-facetted water- and livelihood activities. For RVWRMP it was important that the ambassadors can observe with their own eyes the changes the integrated water project brings about.
Day one: Aalital
The visit started with the Dola Multi Use water Scheme in Aalital RM of Dadeldhura. Dola is a Janjati (Magar) community consisting of 158 households. The local RVWRMP staff had prepared a nice program with user interactions about drinking water supply, school WASH, total sanitation, diversified home gardens and irrigated agriculture. The families also showed their improved cookstoves.
After a walk through the community, the RM chair invited to a meeting and discussion about the development ambitions for the Aalital Municipality. The day ended with staff and members of the Chetana cooperative. We stayed the night in Budar enjoying a tasty Dal bhat for dinner.
The EU ambassador said there is definitely demand for the special products of Nepal, like the altitude coffee.
Day two: Ayameru
The next day we moved to Dadeldhura for a presentation and discussion about the Project in the RVWRMP head office. The ambassador of the EU showed much interest in the livelihoods activities. The ambassador of the EU exchanged ideas about market potential for local crops and non-forest timber products and other high quality products of the hills and mountains. The EU ambassador said there is definitely demand for the special products of Nepal, like the altitude coffee. The ambassador of Finland praised RVWRMPs agenda in relation to gender equality but remarked that there is a long way to go given the harsh circumstances for women in the rural areas. We need to understand better how the conditions of women can be improved he said. After the meeting we drove to the Ayameru Rural Municipality where the ambassadors inaugurated the Gobara Drinking Water Supply scheme. The day ended in the Sauna which is a special feature of any Finnish supported project.
The ambassador of Finland praised RVWRMPs agenda in relation to gender equality but remarked that there is a long way to go given the harsh circumstances for women in the rural areas.
Day three: Dhangadhi and Bogtan
The next day the EU Ambassador moved to Dhangadhi for meetings with the Provincial authorities. The ambassador of Finland continued his visit with the inauguration of Bogtan scheme in the Doti district. The program was filled with speeches of the authorities, music and dance. The scheme serves over 1000 people with the source at 10 km distance of the main population.
On our way back we were received by the Mayor of Dipayal-Silgadhi Municipality. She explained the importance of clean water near to the homes in relation to female hygiene and specially after giving birth. Uterus prolapse is causing suffering among many families.
A team of four visibility people from the EU and Finland that accompanied the mission and will provide some fresh information to the people in Finland and Europe about the project. The audio visual products will also be published on the RVWRMP website to put the project, Sudurpashchim and Karnali Provinces more firmly on the map.
