MITRA Samaj has officially begun implementing a comprehensive project to establish climate-resilient health systems at the local level in Nepal, adopting a multi-sectoral and inclusive approach. The initiative aims to strengthen municipalities’ ability to respond to climate-related risks by integrating evidence-based planning, gender-sensitive strategies, and multi-sector coordination across health, environment, water, agriculture, education, disaster management, and local governance sectors.
The project is aligned with Nepal’s Health Sector Strategic Plan (2023–2030), the Health National Adaptation Plan, and the National Strategy on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, emphasizing climate-resilient and inclusive health systems as national priorities. MITRA Samaj’s approach combines rigorous technical assessments, digital tools, and participatory engagement to ensure that local governments have the capacity to plan and respond to climate hazards while safeguarding vulnerable populations.
Implementation is currently underway in the municipalities of Nepalgunj and Panchadewal Binayak, where 21 health facilities are being assessed through GIS-based climate and health vulnerability mapping, integrating data on hazards, exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. Social mapping and field consultations are also being conducted, involving over 160 community respondents, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups, to capture gender-disaggregated and socially inclusive insights.
The project includes a phased strategy: initial desk reviews and stakeholder consultations, development of a digital multi-sectoral data hub, capacity-building workshops for municipal staff, and the creation of localized Climate-Health Action Plans. These plans will be integrated into municipal Annual Work Plans and Budgets, ensuring that climate-resilient health measures are actionable and sustainable. A peer-learning and dissemination workshop in Kathmandu will further allow replication and scaling of this model across other municipalities and provinces.
This project represents a critical step in creating health systems that are resilient to climate hazards while promoting inclusivity and data-driven decision-making at the local level.
MITRA Samaj’s evidence-driven and participatory approach is expected to produce scalable, sustainable models for local governments, embedding climate-smart, inclusive, and adaptive planning into health systems. The initiative not only addresses immediate climate-health risks but also strengthens municipal capacity for long-term planning, digital data integration, and multi-sector collaboration, setting a precedent for climate-resilient health governance across Nepal.