Q4 Report 2024

At the end of September 2024, a series of floods and mudslides brought about by heavier-than-usual monsoon rains devastated the districts of Kavrepalanchowk, Rautahat, Sarlahi, Lalitpur, Sindhuli, and Makwanpur. The Government of Nepal reported that at least 286 people perished, and over 1,500 homes were damaged or destroyed. Public health officials in Kavrepalanchowk, Rautahat, and Sarlahi requested OHW’s support in responding to the crisis, noting that five health facilities had collapsed completely and an additional four were damaged. 

In response, by October 20, we were able to deliver medical tents that had been provided by Direct Relief and other essential medical supplies from our inventory to five affected health facilities in Kavrepalanchowk. We also set a goal of reaching 750 pregnant women and new mothers with relief materials. We were ultimately able to provide relief materials to 2,370 women across 11 affected municipalities. Women were given hygiene and dignity kits, blankets and other materials to stay warm, and food packets that included baby food. 

As of October 2024, Mr. Surya Bhatta and Dr. Sibylle Kristensen started serving as co-CEOs. This shift to a dual leadership model amplifies our commitment to collaboration, teamwork, inclusivity, and empowerment. Partnerships are one of the key components of our Network of Safety model, so it made sense for OHW to adopt a similar approach for our leadership model. We are convinced that two leaders, with their unique skills and experiences, can better navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities in today’s economy/landscape. Leading together, Surya and Sibylle represent various aspects of our beneficiaries and they tap into diverse perspectives and strategic insights crucial for decision-making and management.

We renewed our General Agreement with the Social Welfare Council in July. This agreement allows us to operate and continue our legal presence in Nepal for the next five years. The smooth renewal process demonstrates the strong partnership we have been maintaining with the Government of Nepal.

Over the past four months, One Heart Worldwide had the privilege of working with Rippleworks and pro bono Marketing expert, Aaliyah Ansari Fletcher, to refine voice and develop a go-to-market strategy. With guidance from Aaliyah, alongside the Rippleworks team–including Cliff Richard Ingabo and Rebecca Musiitwa–we explored strategies to strengthen our engagement with funders, partners, and programmatic stakeholders. This collaboration reinforced key insights on scaling impact, from the importance of unrestricted funding to the role of technology in enhancing NGO operations. We are deeply grateful to Rippleworks for their support and look forward to leveraging these learnings 

Five of our active implementation districts - Sarlahi, Udayapur, Parbat, Myagdi, and Dolakha - have graduated to the Transition Phase of OHW’s six-year Network of Safety model. The local health authorities in these districts have demonstrated a firm commitment to owning OHW’s intervention and prioritizing maternal and newborn health. Over the next two years, OHW will continue to provide guidance and technical support where needed, but in a reduced capacity as these health systems function autonomously using the new knowledge and skills given to them during our program. 

We have also completed all the necessary preparatory work to launch the program in three new districts—Humla, Siraha, and Dhanusha. This included engaging with relevant stakeholders in these districts to ensure alignment and local support, setting up the necessary resources and logistical arrangements for program implementation, recruiting staff in those districts, and finalizing the Detailed Implementation Plan for 2025. We have also signed partnership agreements with three new partner NGOs in these districts.