Community Mediation Centers were formally inaugurated amidst opening events in 9 different wards (1-9) of Rangeli Municipality of Morang district. Prior to the opening of these centers, the project provided basic community mediation training from January 26 to February 11 at Birtamod,Jhapa in two batches to the selected community mediators. Selection of community mediators was carried out by the ward committees of the municipality.

Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Rangeli Municipality, Chief Administrative Officer of Municipality and the leaders from different political parties and local people were all present during the event and highly appreciated JICA’s assistance.

Chief Representative of JICA Nepal Jun Sakuma attended in the opening ceremony of Community Mediation Center of ward number two.  Addressing the program, he reiterated on “how this Municipality could play an important role as a model for local governments to institutionalize Community Mediation program in future”.

The main purpose of this project is to enhance capacity and mechanisms for dispute management through introduction and institutionalization of community mediation for enhancing the access to Justice of the vulnerable sects of society such as the poor, women and marginalized people.

According to a press release issued by Brinda Singh-Public Relations officer JICA, besides, the project also supports basic logistic materials including furniture; table, chairs, cupboard, and other materials for the operation of CMC. Besides the above 9 centers, JICA previously supported in launching 9 CMC’s in Morang, Dhanusha and Tanahun districts as well. JICA Nepal has been assisting Government of Nepal to formulate COMCAP through Technical Cooperation project since January 2010.