Innovative Targeting Approach: Extending Reach to Most Marginalized

The Building Hope along the Karnali River Basin (BHAKARI) was a three-year emergency program (201-2023), funded by USAID’s BHA and implemented by Mercy Corps Nepal to enhance long-term food security and address immediate emergencies. The project was implemented in six districts known for challenging terrain and chronic food insecurity and targeted 252 communities, including extremely isolated areas. Key challenges of the project included: 1)reaching the poorest and the most vulnerable populations and 2)overcoming geographical and socio-economic barriers. To address these challenges, the program implemented a "GESI First" approach, focusing on gender and social inclusion. This approach aimed to ensure equitable access to resources and decision-making processes. The project also established operational structures to facilitate working closely with the communities and the local government ensuring better targeting and resource allocation. The program utilized the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach, conducting regular "pause and reflect" sessions with stakeholders to gather feedback and make necessary adjustments. This approach involved initial consultations, engagement with key stakeholders, and data-driven decisions. One of the project’s significant innovations was the development of the "movement tracker", a mobile application that provided real-time updates and visual representations of covered and uncovered areas and records staff’s travel. The app was a crucial tool in the program's adaptive management, ensuring right targeting and efficient resource allocation. The movement tracker was especially valuable during the COVID-19 lockdowns The successful integration of the CLA approach and the movement tracker, have significantly improved the program’s effectiveness, ensuring that the most marginalized communities were reached and supported.