KATHMANDU, May 9: Poverty Alleviation Fund (PAF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) to work together in 14 earthquake-affected districts.

As per the MoU, both PAF and NRA will work together for designing, execution and follow up of a livelihood and enterprise development activities. 

“PAF and NRA have agreed to go for a long-term program partnership contributing the overall goal of poverty reduction by expanding opportunities of livelihood improvement, enterprise development, access to finance, knowledge management, extension services, capacity building monitoring and evaluation. PAF and NRA will now jointly work to implement the livelihood and enterprise development related programs such as trainings, technical assistance, network facilitation, advocacy and policy support,” PAF said in a statement on Monday.

As per the agreement, NRA will facilitate and manage financial and technical support to strengthen PAF's capacity and its target communities to implement livelihood and micro enterprise development programs. NRA will also facilitate to manage the necessary budgetary assistance for PAF to carry out its activities. 

According to Nahakul KC, executive director of PAF, the agreement will bring positive results on poverty alleviation and reconstruction initiatives in the 14 earthquake-affected districts. “The agreement is an initiative to strengthen cooperation and collaboration between PAF and NRA. The agreement will be effective to ensure effectiveness in capacity building of mason, livelihood opportunities and micro enterprise development initiatives,” KC added.

PAF is currently working in 14 earthquake-affected districts -- Chitwan, Dolakha, Dhading, Gorkha, Khotang, Lamjug, Makawanpur, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchowk, Okhaldhunga, Rasuwa, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, and Solukhumbu.

 
• poverty alleviation fund
 
• national reconstruction authority
 
• memorandum of understanding
 
• earthquake-affected districts