WFP extends food aid operation for flood victims

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has extended its food aid operations in Saptari, Siraha, and Udayapur, the drought-affected districts of the eastern Terai. It will also continue assistance until the end of June to drought victims in the mid and far western regions.

WFP news release issued on Friday said that it was appealing various donors for US$16 million to contribute drought relief operation in Nepal. The Donors so far include the European Commission (US$3.2 million), the United States (US$2.2 million), the Netherlands (US$1.2 million), Canada (US$900,000), Germany (US$650,000), Switzerland (US$400,000), Australia (US$400,000) and Norway (US$20,000). A further US$1.1 million has been received in multilateral contributions.

The extended operations will bring the numbers of WFP drought-affected beneficiaries to 400,000, double the number reached in the first phase of the operation, according to release.

WFP announced the extension of relief following the request made by Nepal government.

"The move follows a request for additional support from the government on the basis of findings from a recently completed government crop and food supply assessment mission, supported by WFP and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization. The report warns of food grain shortages totalling nearly 190,000 metric tons" the release read.

The release quoted Richard Ragan, WFP Representative in Nepal as saying that WFP was prepared to start the second-phase of food aid relief for drought-affected families in the mid- and far-west at the end of the month.

Since June of 2006, WFP has provided emergency aid to nearly 200,000 drought-affected people in eight districts in Mid- and Far-Western Nepal and this support was the first emergency operation of its kind in W FP’s 40-year history of working in Nepal.

WFP extends food aid operation for flood victims

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