Impact Assessment of Nepal Development Programme 2003-2007: Programme Impact on Freed Kamaiyas and Haliyas in the Far West

Purpose/ Objective:
The objective of the assignment was to assess the impact of the second phase of the Nepal Development Programme on the life quality of two bonded labour groups (liberated kamaiyas and bonded haliyas). NDP was implemented by the Lutheran World Federation Nepal during 2003-2007. The assessment focused on Kailali for freed kamaiyas and seven Far Western districts for bonded haliyas (Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Doti and Kanchanpur). The assignment was commissioned by FinnChurchAid, Finland.

Methodology:
The assessment was conducted in a participatory manner in close collaboration with the LWF/N staff and
project implementing partners. It consisted of a preliminary desk review of NDP documents and reports which was followed up by a four week work period in Nepal in March 2008. The assessment team interacted with freed kamaiya groups in Kailali and with haliya groups (some free, others not) in Dadeldhura and Doti. Discussions were also held with the implementing partners and with government officers at the district level. The team was also in touch with other agencies and NGOs working with bonded labour issues in the districts and in Kathmandu.
 
Key Findings:
The impact of NDP is predominantly positive. Significant positive impact has been achieved with the kamaiyas in their overall empowerment both at the community group and individual level, and in basic education and adult literacy, nutrition status and food sufficiency, improved household economy, reduced poverty and increased self-reliance and awareness of their rights. Haliya advocacy and empowerment activities have reinvigorated a forgotten human rights and bonded labour issue and brought it into the decision makers’ radar at district and national level. District activist organisations have been established and federated to form a dedicated haliya advocacy NGO. Haliya beneficiaries’ awareness of rights has increased and their self-esteem has improved. Willingness to work collectively towards their empowerment and freedom was evident. The NDP approach has supported the development of Community-based NGOs (federations). The direct implementation approach by federations and CBOs will further strengthen the community empowerment. The team finds the policies, practices and approaches of LWF/N very strong and generating positive impact.
Relevance: The objectives of kamaiya rehabilitation and haliya empowerment programme were consistent with the development policy of Nepal. They have contributed to poverty reduction and promotion of human rights. The objectives and activities were consistent with the basic needs of the beneficiary groups. The programme has contributed significantly to the achievement of LWF/N’s strategic priorities and goals on empowerment for sustainable development and advocacy and networking (human rights for the marginalized and displaced groups). The activities and objectives have been supportive to the Finnish development cooperation goals and policy principles. They have also supported the policy objectives of FinnChurchAid, particularly promoting justice, peace and human rights and poverty reduction.
Sustainability: The more mature freed kamaiya groups are approaching a level of empowerment where they will probably be able to continue community upliftment activities independently after the current programme phase (2008-2010). Some of the more experienced haliya groups and households may also be able to become self-sustaining. It is possible for many haliyas to become sufficiently empowered to claim their freedom within the next two to three years.

Recommendations:
 Freed kamaiya rehabilitation programme: The needs of the groups are different. The groups established merely a few years ago require support on the basics of empowerment process whereas the more mature ones need assistance and advice in developing income generation activities. Annual capacity / maturity assessments are recommended to learn what are the new and emerging needs, but also to define when a group is ready to ”graduate” from the LWF/N support. Most, if not all, groups require intensified support in livelihood development. They need help in developing a vision to look beyond traditional and existing on-farm income sources. However, it is not the programme responsibility to meet all these needs. Instead links with other existing service and support providers (such as government agencies, local NGOs, PAF, etc.) should be facilitated. The time has also come to wrap up the lobbying on kamaiya liberation issue. Lobbying and advocacy remains necessary to speed up and complete the rehabilitation process.
Haliya empowerment and liberation programme: The haliyas need to benefit from the complete empowerment package, including the integrated and diversified livelihood component. Different ways of haliyas becoming free should be accepted: negotiation, repayment and filing cases. Freedom through filing a case may provide some future benefits from the state (if the 2002 Kamaiya Labour (Prohibition) Act is applied as such), but it can create immediate conflicts within the community. There are merits in freedom by negotiation (maintains social stability and continued employment) and by loan repayment as well. An empowered haliya would be better positioned to select between different options and have better negotiation skills.
Implementing partners - KPUS and RHMSF: The federations are competent in activism, rallying and campaigning for
liberation and rehabilitation. For their own long term organizational sustainability it would be useful to recognize that advocacy and development are two different domains requiring different skills, knowledge, approaches and staff. Both KPUS and RHMSF staff have capacity building needs, some which should be addressed urgently. To address gender issues properly, a ’positive discrimination’ policy would be needed to ensure that more women would be hired by the partners.