Building climate resilience for people with disabilities in Nepal
Stories | Published: October 22, 2026
When floods, droughts, and extreme weather strike, people with disabilities are often among the hardest hit. Barriers to accessing information, services, livelihoods, and support can make it harder to prepare for disasters and recover when they occur. In Nepal, a CBM Australia-supported project set out to change that.
From 2022 to 2025, CBM Australia partnered with Life Nepal and Disabled Society Janakpur to support people with disabilities and their families across three municipalities in Dhanusha District in southeastern Nepal. The project combined disability inclusion, livelihood support, climate-smart agriculture, community awareness, and local government engagement to help communities build stronger, more resilient futures.
One of the project’s biggest successes was the creation of 48 Self-Help Groups. For many participants, these groups were the first place they learned about disability rights, government services, and available support. They also created space for people to connect, share experiences, and build confidence. As a result, 404 people with disabilities obtained disability identification cards, helping them access social protection schemes and other government support. Beyond the SHGs, the project reached more than 4,000 people with disability-inclusive awareness messages, helping to increase understanding, acceptance, and inclusion within the wider community.
The project also focused on improving livelihoods. A total of 350 people with disabilities and their family members participated in activities such as vocational training, small business development, livestock rearing, and climate-smart farming. Some participants started earning an income for the first time, while others expanded small businesses such as grocery shops, tailoring businesses, and snack stalls. These opportunities helped strengthen household income, self-reliance, and social inclusion.
Climate-smart agriculture played an important role. Farmers received support to adopt practices such as improved seeds, mulching, irrigation, and protected growing environments. These techniques helped improve crop yields and food security and better equip households to cope with the growing impacts of climate change. Participants also shared their knowledge with neighbours, encouraging others to adopt similar approaches.
The project also worked to make communities more inclusive. 56 children with disabilities received educational materials, two schools improved accessibility through ramps and inclusive water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities, and outreach rehabilitation camps brought healthcare, assistive devices, and specialist referrals closer to rural communities. These services reduced barriers created by distance, cost, and limited mobility.
At the government level, the project helped strengthen local systems. Two municipalities developed Local Disaster and Climate Resilient Plans, providing a framework for more inclusive disaster preparedness and climate action.
The end of project evaluation found that the project not only improved access to services and livelihood opportunities, but also increased confidence, participation, and resilience among people with disabilities and their families. Building on these achievements, a new phase of the project is now underway, expanding support for disability-inclusive livelihoods, climate resilience, and community leadership so that more people can prepare for and adapt to an uncertain future.
CBM Australia with support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
Learn More:
‘Strengthening climate resilience for people with disabilities in Nepal’ evaluation summary.
https://www.cbm.org.au/stories/disability-inclusive-climate-resilience-nepal
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