Social protection and endangered Indigenous communities in NepalCEFR B1
20 Apr 2026
Adapted from Biswash Chepang, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Wonderlane, Unsplash
Nepal's Constitution (Article 43, 2015) guarantees the right to social protection, and the country has ratified several international instruments on social security. Despite these commitments, about 20.1 million people in Nepal remain without any form of social protection.
The government operates more than 85 social security programs that provide allowances to around 3,800,000 people, roughly 13 percent of the population. It has also committed to financial support for ten officially recognised endangered Indigenous communities, including Bankariya, Hayu, Kisan, Kusbadhiya, Kusunda, Lepcha, Meche, Raji, Raute and Surel.
Field interviews show mixed effects. A Bankariya member said the Endangered Community Social Security Allowance helps her family pay for education and healthcare; each person receives NPR 4,000 per month through the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration. A study of the Raji in Chaukune Rural Municipality, Surkhet District, linked allowances to small businesses, cooperative savings and cultural preservation.
Experts caution that cash transfers alone can create dependency and weaken traditional livelihoods; some Raute members now rely more on allowances, and allowance money has been linked to increased alcohol use and social problems. Barriers include fragmented programs, lack of data, discrimination, geographic isolation, missing citizenship documents and exclusion from formal labour markets. Advocates call for stronger local governance, targeted orientation, links to Indigenous enterprise, safe electronic payments and longer-term land, housing and education measures.
Difficult words
- constitution — A country's system of fundamental laws and rules
- social protection — Government help to protect people from poverty
- ratify — To officially approve a treaty or agreementratified
- allowance — Regular money paid to support a personallowances
- indigenous — Original peoples of a country or region
- endangered — At risk of disappearing or dying out
- dependency — Need for help that reduces independence
- discrimination — Unfair treatment of people by others
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How could social protection programs avoid creating dependency while still helping people?
- What kinds of support, besides cash, would help endangered Indigenous communities?
- What local problems can make it hard for people to get social security benefits where you live?
Related articles
Savar declared a degraded airshed over severe air pollution
The Department of Environment declared Savar a degraded airshed after monitoring found annual air pollution nearly three times the national standard of 35 micrograms per cubic meter. The decision responds to pollution from brick kilns, factories, transport and construction and new rules start September 2025.
Iran's water emergency worsens amid heat and outages
A summer heatwave and widespread power outages have intensified Iran’s water emergency. Officials report sharply falling dam reserves, groundwater depletion and possible summer rationing as authorities warn of harder measures to save energy and water.
EU AI rules do not cover exports to West Asia and North Africa
Research by 7amleh finds that European AI rules and funding often leave the EU without binding safeguards. Money, technology and products reach governments and militaries across West Asia and North Africa with limited human rights accountability.