UN Food Agency Starts Feeding Tens Of Thousands Of Flood-Hit Nepalese
New York, Sep 11 2006 10:00AM
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) this week began feeding survivors of recent flooding in southwestern
Nepal, nearly 80,000 people affected by extensive flooding who are believed to be cut off from regular access to food
and shelter.
“Over the weekend the country was again pounded by heavy rainfall, but we've been able to get enough food out to feed
nearly 50,000 people for seven days,” said Richard Ragan, WFP's Country Director for Nepal.
Working with the Nepal Red Cross Society, WFP will provide rice, oil, lentils, and salt, worth some US$500,000, to feed
people over the next month in four western districts of Nepal.
“Our operations are underway and working with Nepal Red Cross we plan to make sure that food isn't a problem for the
victims of this tragic crisis,” Mr. Ragan said. “While much of the world's attention is focused on the ongoing peace
process in Nepal, it is important that we also respond to the very real and immediate needs of these victims of a
terrible natural disaster.
WFP is also working closely with the Government of Nepal and the Red Cross to determine what kind of medium and longer
term recovery needs might be necessary. The UN humanitarian agency anticipates that needs are likely to rise over the
rest of this year as the districts of Banke and Bardiya are important rice producing areas for Nepal where flooding has
washed away much of the upcoming crop.
“If the government identifies the need for additional international support, we are prepared to help,” Mr. Ragan
pledged.
Since June of this year, the agency has also been working to feed 225,000 people in the remote parts of western Nepal
affected by ongoing drought.
But funds are low; only about 40 per cent of what is needed is available, and most of this came from temporary WFP
sources. Tony Banbury, WFP’s Asia Director said it is “critical” that international donors step forward and provide
resources necessary to make the agency’s continued assistance possible.
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