Nepal faced rapid political changes throughout the past two years. After a ten year civil war between Maoist insurgents and government forces, mass protests pushed for the culminated in peace negotiations, with the signature of the peace accord in November 2006, and the promulgation of an interim constitution. Following a nation-wide election in April 2008, Nepal was declared a federal democratic republic and abolished the monarchy one month later. The Maoists received the majority of votes in the Constituent Assembly (CA) election and formed a coalition governement in August 2008. However, political tensions did not subside and in May 2009, the Maoist led government was overthrown and new coalition government instituted. The CA had the mandate of drafting a new constitution within two years which ended on May 28th, 2010 but CA was not able to draft the consitution. So, after negotiations between the government and Maoist party, they agreed to extend the period of CA for one year. However, Maoists are still on the streets demanding for the resignation of the Prime Minister and political instability has resulted in a state of frail law and order.
This instability is having an impact and delay on the ongoing field work of the Community Mental Health Promotion Program- CMHP, the Village Development Community- VDC level and District level interactions because of security problems and strikes/closure "Bandh" in different service sectors. CVICT staff from Kathmandu are limited in their travel to the field for supervision, district level interactions and for refresher training of counsellors. However these adverse conditions, the CMHP is moving ahead as planned.