ASIA/NEPAL - More efforts are needed to defeat poverty

Tuesday, 29 May 2018 poverty development economy politics caritas

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Kathmandu (Agenzia Fides) - The Nepalese government must do more to tackle the problem of poverty in the country: says to Agenzia Fides Sr Marisa, of the Congregation of Jesus, , commenting on the data of the Economic Survey, a new report published by the Nepalese government, which shows that over 6 million Nepalese live below the poverty line. This is 21.6% of the total population of the Himalayan nation. The religious notes that "the government has a great responsibility in dealing with the problem of poverty in the country".
According to the Minister of Finance of Nepal, Yubaraj Khatiwada, despite the commitment to reduce poverty over the years, there have been no appreciable results. The Government of Nepal has adopted a series of measures, including targeted programs to alleviate poverty and create new job opportunities.
Nepal has managed various income generating activities and small infrastructures aimed at poor families through the Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF), an institution created to manage small targeted programs. According to the Economic Survey, 984,421 poor families have benefited from the programs launched by the PAF in 60 districts of the country. Likewise, 44,810 young self-employed people have benefited from the Autonomous Employment Fund for young people and small business owners.
Despite this commitment, because of the limited job opportunities, about 4.3 million Nepalese went to work abroad through formal or informal channels, the Economic Survey notes. According to the Economic Survey, Nepal's economy is expected to grow by 5.9% in the current fiscal year that ends in mid-July. The average economic growth of Nepal in the last decade amounted to 4.3%.
According to Sister Marisa, some of the issues related to poverty that lead the Nepalese to emigrate are linked to drugs, trafficking and prostitution. The Catholic Church, emphasizes the religious, contributes to development programs above all through Caritas Nepal. (SD) (Agenzia Fides, 29/5/2018)