Quarterly Report III (Q3, FY15): Promoting Agriculture, Health and Alternative Livelihoods (PAHAL) Program

Agency for International Development's Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA)/Office of Food for Peace (FFP), is a five-year program that commenced in October 2014. The program aims to strengthen livelihoods, improve nutritional status, and increase the capacity of vulnerable households to mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses in communities with deep poverty and high rates of malnutrition in critical zones of the Far-Western and Mid-Western Regions of Nepal. The program targets individuals, households, communities, and systems to build resilience and improve food security for a stronger future for 200,000 households, approximately 1,000,000 individuals, in 14 food-insecure districts in Nepal. The interventions will focus on Middle Hill and Mountain Zones of the Far-Western and Mid-Western Regions of Nepal, specifically the districts of Achham, Baitadi, Bajhang, Bajura, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Dailekh, Doti, Jajarkot, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Rukum, Salyan, and Surkhet. The PAHAL Consortium, comprising Mercy Corps, Plan International USA, International Development Enterprises, Tufts University's Feinstein International Center, and Nepalese partners Rupantaran, RIMS-Nepal, NTAG, and SAPPROS, is working at a systemic level to build community resilience and address both the symptoms and root causes of food insecurity. The program's goal is to make vulnerable populations resilient to the stressors and shocks that impede food security. In Quarter III, the focus of the PAHAL team continued to be on activities supporting the 'start-up' of the program, specifically around recruitment, procurement, and set-up for the regional field offices in Dadeldhura and Nepalgunj. Recruitment of PAHAL Program and Operations staff continued apace, with a specific focus on engaging senior technical staff to be based in Kathmandu. The positions of Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and Governance & Coordination Advisor were successfully recruited for in Quarter II and joined the PAHAL team on 1st April. Procurement for computer equipment, office supplies, furniture, and support services was completed in Quarter III. The PAHAL team also solicited bids for 4x4 vehicles and motorcycles during Quarter III, and a purchase approval request for the vehicles was submitted to USAID on 23rd June. Finance and Compliance Training was provided for all consortium members from 8-19 June, including the review of sub-award templates and the strengthening of sub-award monitoring and management processes. Regional offices were established in Dadeldhura and Nepalgunj, with senior staff recruited and computers and required equipment procured. Due to plans to accommodate all partners in one PAHAL office in each region, it was determined that a larger office would be required in Dadeldhura, and a search was undertaken for suitable premises. The PAHAL Program's coordination and planning with national partners continued, although plans to finalize their sub-awards were put on hold due to the delays associated with the Ghorka Earthquake. The program's progress was affected by the earthquake, which necessitated that all able-bodied people and experienced INGOs direct their attention to emergency response and related relief activities during the last week of April and the first weeks of May. The PAHAL Team continued to support relief activities through 15th May, when it recommenced with PAHAL program activities.