Migrant Resource Centers: Restoring Hope, Preventing Fraud

The story of Satya Kunwar, a 29-year-old widow from Chaurpati Rural Municipality–4 in Achham, shows how Migrant Resource Centers (MRCs) can make a real difference in people’s lives.

After losing her husband, Satya faced the daunting responsibility of raising her young son alone. With limited livelihood options, she clung to the promise of foreign employment. A relative assured her of a job in Dubai—one of the major labor destinations for Nepalis in the Gulf region—at an enormous cost of NPR 800,000 (approx. USD 5,672). Desperate, she had already handed over half the amount when she visited the MRC in her district.

It had been only a month since the center’s opening last year when counselor Sujata Lama met Satya. Hearing her story, Sujata immediately sensed danger: the quoted cost was far beyond the actual expense of migration to Gulf countries. With compassion, she explained the risks, urging Satya to reconsider and reclaim her money.

Satya hesitated—confronting her own relative seemed impossible. Recognizing her fear, Sujata reached out to the Chairperson of Chaurpati Rural Municipality and to Satya’s brother-in-law. Together, they intervened. The relative was compelled to return NPR 200,000 (approx. USD 1,418) immediately, and a few months later, the remaining balance as well.

Thanks to timely counseling and local support, Satya narrowly escaped falling into crippling debt and potential exploitation. Today, she has chosen a different path, moving to India with her maternal family and son in search of safer livelihood opportunities. Her journey remains challenging, but she carries one less burden—she was spared from a devastating trap.

Satya’s experience is not an isolated one. Local governments managing MRCs across Nepal share similar stories of impact.

When Mayor Binod Sah of Kalaiya Sub-Metropolitan City in Bara receives complaints about fraud in foreign labor migration, he turns with confidence to the MRC under his watch. Every case he refers is addressed. “I feel that not only are fraud cases resolved, but their overall trend has also decreased—from nearly 90 percent a few years ago to around 40 percent now,” he estimates.

Even before becoming Mayor, Sah recalls encountering numerous such cases during his tenure at the Nepalese Chamber of Commerce. “Back then, it was difficult to advise victims or direct them to support. There was no MRC to refer them to.” Today, however, things are different. The MRC in Bara was established in 2021.

“This is why we have included safer migration-related human resources in our Organization and Management structure,” adds Chief Administrative Officer Arbinlal Karna of Birgunj Metropolitan City, Parsa. The MRCs—whether in Parsa or Achham—are part of a broader national intervention: 77 local governments, in coordination with provincial and federal governments, are managing MRCs across 77 districts.

The results speak for themselves. Between January 16, 2025, and January 15, 2026, a total of 448,482 people—including 137,243 women and 158 individuals from other gender groups—received information and counselling services. Likewise, 1,048 men and 127 women were supported with facilitation for mediation through the CDO in fraud-related cases. This led to a total recovery of nearly NPR 400 million (approximately USD 2,749,880).

Strategically located within District Administration Offices and Area Administration Offices where passports are issued, MRCs are accessible at the very starting point of the migration journey. Here, potential migrants can weigh their options—whether to seek opportunities abroad or explore livelihoods within Nepal. For those who choose foreign employment, the centers provide vital guidance to ensure their journey is safer and more informed.

Yet challenges persist. Many still fall prey to fraud, exploitation, or difficulties abroad. In such cases, MRCs play a crucial role as the first point of contact, working closely with Chief District Officers to help individuals access justice and necessary support.