Assessment of Environmental, Social and Quality Standards in the RCIW Projects

Client
UN World Food Programme (UNWFP) Nepal

Project Period
May 2012 to August 2012

Project Area
Bajura, Darchula, Jumla, Bajhang, Kalikot, Achham, Dolpa and Mugu
SW Nepal was assigned by UNWFP to carry out a compliance assessment of quality, environmental, social and health and safety standards for community infrastructures constructed in 2009-2011 in the project districts. The findings of these assessments highlighted the need for an external support for WFP’s Implementing Partners (IPs) to achieve higher level of quality and efficiency in resource mobilization so as to improve the quality of community based infrastructures.
Key activities
The Key activity of this assignment was to provide services of external monitoring of Rural Community Infrastructure Works (RCIW) activities implemented in 13 food-insecure districts of Nepal
Services provided by SW Nepal
The firm carried out reviews of technical documents (survey, design, quantity, cost estimates, Environmental Management Plan) of the construction projects. It was followed by a detailed measurement of infrastructures being built and interaction with user community through a series of field assessment.
Outcome
The document review and subsequent field visits to RCIW schemes/sites showed technical discrepancies which were communicated to the IPs, mainly District Development Committee and Ministry of Local Development. They were also provided with recommendations and orientations so as to bring their attention to those areas for further capacity building.