Representative of the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA) provides seed money to local women as part of "Nepalese Women Occupational Support Program" in Nawalpur district, Nepal, Sept. 20, 2018. The CFPA, a Chinese non-governmental organization (NGO), has launched a micro-finance project "Nepalese Women Occupational Support Program" in Nepal. (Xinhua/Sulav Shrestha)
KATHMANDU, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) -- The China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA), a Chinese non-governmental organization (NGO), has launched a micro-finance project "Nepalese Women Occupational Support Program" in Nepal.
The CFPA, which has been working in Nepal after the 2015 earthquake, launched the program on Thursday in Devchuli municipality located in Nawalpur district, some 150 km away from the capital city.
According to the organization, the program will introduce China's micro-finance model to improve the living conditions of the Nepalese women affected by the earthquake and unemployment. For this, it has partnered with a Nepali NGO Safa Sunaulo Nepal and a local women cooperative group.
Zou Zhiqiang, country director of CFPA Nepal, told Xinhua, "We will be providing financial support including loans to 400 Nepali women who are under the poverty line to enhance their economic capability."
Zou said the program will mostly benefit women from marginalized communities and minority groups of the district.
During the launching ceremony, the organization also provided some seed money to local women, who are engaged in farming, poultry, livestock and other agro-activities.
Durga Devi Thanet, 31, one of the beneficiaries, told Xinhua that "I have been raising buffaloes and selling milk in the last few months. Now, with the Chinese support, I want to extend my business."
CFPA has already carried out over a dozen projects in the sectors like disaster relief, livelihood, food, water and sanitation, disinfection treatment and health care among others in various districts of Nepal.