Karnali Integrated Rural Development and Research Centre (KIRDARC)

KIRDARC conducts a variety of peace-related and human rights work in Nepal involving development, public awareness and humanitarian projects, among others.

Overview

KIRDARC is an NGO registered at the District Administrative Office in the Jumla district of the Karnali Zone and affiliated to the social welfare council in Kathmandu. It has been working in all five districts of the Karnali zone (Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Mugu, Dolpa) with major human rights, peace and development initiatives.

The organisation aims to promote peace, human rights, development and good governance in the Karnali zone. It has realised that development is one of the components of peace and therefore has been focusing on developing economic capacity and the infrastructure, through projects such as the Karnali road construction. A lack of access to economically viable alternatives can push young men to join the Maoist forces: by providing the means for people to construct their own lives and to support themselves, KIRDARC aim to reduce the numbers turning to violence.

In addition to its development activity, KIRDARC has been implementing two programmes; "Children in Armed Conflict" (a rights-based approach) and "Peace Building and Accountability Promotion in the Karnali Zone”. The KIRDARC has also published research in Karnalima Dwonda (Conflict in Karnali, a Nepali publication).

What services are provided?

Services provided to the Karnali people have been to mitigate the impacts of conflict on children and create a favourable environment for education; provide immediate humanitarian relief services for the conflict victims' families; organise peace rallies, public pamphlets and booklets; and to monitor and document human rights violations, particularly in connection with the Maoist conflict.

Geographical area of operation

The Centre operates at the district and community levels, which covers all districts (Jumla, Humla, Kalikot, Mugu, Dolpa) of the Karnali zone, the most remote zone in Nepal, in cooperation with other local institutions.

Funding resources

Human Rights and Good Governance Programme (HUGOU) - Danida; Save the Children - Norway

What further information would you like?

Information on development issues, organisations working on Human Rights, Peace and Development sectors in remote areas in the world.

What new contacts would you like to make?

People and organisations who want to work in the Karnali zone, and Peace and Development experts.

Associated Organisations

Dalit Sewa Sang (Dalit Service Association), Karnali