Country Overview

Nepal is a landlocked country in the Himalayas that features the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest. Nepal is home to 30 million people, close to the population of Canada, but packed into 1/67th of the landmass. The country has experienced rapid economic growth and poverty reduction in recent years.  

Despite its progress, Nepal remains one of the poorest countries in the world, with health care services that fall far below international standards. Many in rural areas lack basic amenities, such as indoor toilets or electricity, and the country is still rebuilding after the devastating earthquake in 2015. But one of the biggest social challenges facing the country is the prevalence of human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of women. International Needs focuses on the empowerment of women as a way to transform the people and their communities.