The Integrated Mobilisation of People for Active Community Transformation (IMPACT) project works with communities in 3 Terai districts: Rupandehi, Kapilbastu and Parasi. The project supports people to recover from leprosy, obtain sustainable livelihoods and increase their inclusion in society.
36 self-help groups (SHGs) supporting over 700 people have been established under the IMPACT project. Through SHGs, people with leprosy, disability and other marginalised people learn important finance, organisation and business skills that will help them to develop sustainable livelihoods. The IMPACT project has supported the SHGs to not only learn the necessary skills to develop small businesses but have supported groups with small loans and have taught groups to save amongst themselves. As a result, many SHGs are now able to provide small loans to their members, rather than rely on external sources for loans.
In addition, the IMPACT project also provides health education on water and sanitation hygiene, COVID 19 awareness and education on gender based violence to the SHGs and their communities.
The IMPACT project’s support of the SHGs have resulted in many people with improved livelihoods, meaningful employment and increased inclusion in their communities.
 |
Supported by the Australian Government |
| This project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Thanks to ANCP, this project is able to help improve the well-being of people affected by leprosy and disability in Nepal. |
Give To This Project
The Leprosy Mission in Nepal
Leprosy remains a significant health problem in Nepal—a population where the majority of people are subsistence farmers. The leprosy-prevalence rate is 2.6 cases per 10,000 population (WHO, 2013), well above the World Health Organisation elimination target. Poverty, the stigma of leprosy, and poor access to healthcare all contribute to the high rate of leprosy.The Leprosy Mission Australia has been working in partnership with the Nepali government since 1957, providing specialist leprosy care at Anandaban Hospital, which is also a centre for extensive leprosy research and treatment development.
In partnership with Leprosy Mission Nepal and Nepal Leprosy Fellowship (NLF), The Leprosy Mission Australia works in community empowerment, development, disability awareness and rehabilitation, and socio-economic rehabilitation in the Central Development and Eastern Development Regions of Nepal.
The Leprosy Mission Nepal is responding to the COVID-19 crisis by distributing sanitisers, masks and disinfectant soap to communities where The Leprosy Mission is present.
They are also raising community awareness through local radio stations.
