In 2025, the Asian Disaster Reduction and Response Network (ADRRN) launched a grant-making facility under the SIDA-supported project “Strengthening Inclusive Disaster Risk Governance for Climate Resilience in Asia (SIDRRA)”. Following a competitive call for proposals that received 25 applications from six countries, only four projects were selected. Among them is the “Maithali Water: Community-Led Resilience and Water Resource Management Project” of the National Disaster Management Network of Nepal (DiMaNN), currently being implemented in Janakpur, Nepal.

The project is led by DiMaNN in partnership with ANANT Nepal as the field-level implementing partner. It adopts a strong community-driven approach aimed at improving water access, enhancing local resilience, and strengthening grassroots disaster risk reduction (DRR) efforts.

A video documenting the initiative highlights ongoing interventions in Ward 17 of Janakpurdham, where DiMaNN is revitalizing traditional Maithili pond systems and introducing localized water storage solutions. These include water tanks currently serving more than 300 residents, helping communities better manage the dual challenges of monsoon flooding and winter droughts.

The project further contributes to strengthening irrigation systems and improving food security through community training and close coordination with local government. Special emphasis has been placed on ensuring the inclusion of women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized communities, aligning the initiative with Nepal’s broader climate resilience and policy frameworks.

Through this initiative, DiMaNN continues to demonstrate how locally grounded, community-led solutions can effectively address climate-induced water challenges while building sustainable resilience at the grassroots level.