Humanitarian Support Reaches Vulnerable Families in Madhesh Amid Cold Wave by RDC Nepal, Start Fund and World Vision International
With support from the Start Network and Start Fund Nepal through the RAIN Programme, World Vision International Nepal (WVI Nepal), in coordination with Rural Development Centre (RDC) Nepal, has provided critical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable families in Rautahat, Mahottari, and Sarlahi districts to help them cope with the ongoing winter season and the anticipated prolonged cold wave in the southern plains of Nepal.
A total of 960 vulnerable HHs received winterization kits including warm jackets, blankets, socks, shawls, woolen caps and foam mattresses to protect families from extreme cold conditions. In addition, food assistance is provided to the same number of HHs through Cash Voucher Assistance (CVA), enabling families to meet their immediate food needs with dignity and choice. Further, 300 HHs with Pregnant and Lactating Mothers are supported with nutrient-dense super flour. To promote safer and cleaner cooking practices, 100 HHs with pregnant and lactating women in Mahottari district are also supported with eco-friendly husk stoves, helping reduce indoor air pollution.
Complementing the relief efforts, winterization and cold-wave preparedness messages are disseminated through local FM radio stations across the three districts to reach wider communities. The intervention aligns with advisories issued by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), which has warned of a prolonged cold wave in the southern plains, posing heightened risks to children, elderly people, pregnant and lactating women, and persons with disabilities.
The response not only addresses immediate humanitarian needs but also promotes environmentally responsible solutions, contributing to Sustainable Development Goals including Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Good Health and Well-Being (SDG 3), and Affordable and Clean Energy (SDG 7). Local authorities and community representatives have appreciated the timely support, noting its positive impact on protecting health and reducing winter-related risks.
