Accountability
Service delivery environments: the case of Nepal
Maintaining services for poor people in conflict-affected areas of Nepal
Authors:
J. Armon; C. Berry; D. Duncan; R. Calder; S. Clapham; DFID
Publisher:
Governance and Social Development Resource Centre , 2004
This DFID study examines the challenge of maintaining services for poor people in conflict-affected areas of Nepal. The report describes the different approaches development agencies have taken to supporting service delivery and draws attention to key issues that should be considered for future support. The report is aimed at sectoral advisers and programme managers who are working to develop programmes in conflict affected areas.
The study focused on six service delivery initiatives drawn from across a range of sectors, supported by different funding agencies, but all financed to some degree by DFID. They were examined in order to understand what model of service delivery they were based on, and a comparison was made of the extent to which they were able to address issues of access, social inclusion, and sustainability.
The key findings of this report are:
- understanding the political and socio-economic context is crucial
- it is essential to be flexible with respect to entry points and approaches
- it is essential to be flexible about the balance between developmental and humanitarian programming objectives
- continuing, chronic insecurity means making protection a priority
The report suggests that agency approaches to the delivery of basic services have evolved in response to the conflict. In particular, service delivery has been re-oriented to increase transparency and accountability, adopt a lower profile, use local staff, deliver tangible outputs based on need, and target the poorest and most marginalised members of the community. The adoption of basic operating guidelines has also facilitated access to some of the most badly affected areas of the country.
The report concludes that if the gains that have been made with respect to service delivery programming for the poor and vulnerable in Nepal are to be build on in the longer term, then it is crucial that the international community redouble its efforts to promote a just and sustainable peace. This can only be achieved through continued engagement and dialogue with the government of Nepal.
