Humanitarian Feminist Crisis Support
Providing urgent relief and recovery support to marginalized communities displaced by the Kankai River floods.
Supported by: Tewa Nepal (Humanitarian Feminist Crisis Support Grant).
In response to the devastating floods caused by the Kankai River, Mahila Janachetana Kendra (MJK) has launched a specialized humanitarian intervention to support affected Santhal families in Jhapa. Supported by Tewa under the Humanitarian Feminist Crisis Support grant for the fiscal year 2081/82, this project provides immediate relief and essential supplies to one of the most marginalized ethnic communities in the region.
The project is rooted in feminist humanitarian principles, ensuring that relief distribution is equitable, dignified, and reaches the most vulnerable members of the Santhal community, including women, children, and the elderly. By coordinating closely with local government bodies, MJK ensures that the support effectively addresses the urgent needs of those who have lost their homes and livelihoods to the natural disaster.
The Context
The Kankai River floods have historically caused severe displacement in the Jhapa district, with marginalized indigenous groups like the Santhal community bearing the brunt of the crisis. MJK identified several critical challenges during the recent disaster:
Disproportionate Impact: Santhal families living in flood-prone riverbanks face total loss of shelter and food security during the monsoon season.
Geographic Isolation: Many affected families reside in areas where mainstream relief efforts are slow to reach.
Feminist Crisis Response: The urgent need for a response system that prioritizes the specific protection and hygiene needs of women and girls during displacement.
Project Objectives
Urgent Relief Distribution: To provide essential food, shelter materials, and emergency supplies to flood-affected Santhal families.
Localized Coordination: To work in mandatory coordination with local government authorities to ensure transparent and systematic relief delivery.
Community Resilience: To empower the Santhal community through direct support, helping them transition from immediate crisis toward recovery and stability.
Feminist Humanitarianism: To implement a crisis response model that values the leadership and specific needs of women in disaster-hit zones.
Accountability & Sustainability: To maintain high standards of financial transparency and reporting, contributing to Tewa’s vision of sustainable development and self-reliance for Nepali women’s organizations.
Partners & Affiliations
Funding Partner: Tewa Nepal (Humanitarian Feminist Crisis Support)
Implementing Agency: Mahila Janachetana Kendra (MJK)
Coordination Partner: Local Municipal Government (Kankai/Jhapa Region)
Target Community: Displaced Santhal Families
