WFP extends food aid operations

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has decided to extend its food aid operations to communities in three drought-affected districts in Eastern Terai.

A press release issued by the WFP said it is continuing assistance until the end of June to drought victims in the Mid- and Far-Western Regions.

"Through the extension, nearly 400,000 drought-affected people living in the Mid- and Far-Western Regions of Nepal, as well as communities in Saptari, Siraha, and Udayapur districts within the Terai will receive WFP food aid," the statement added.

The decision was taken 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 Organisation.

Since June of 2006, WFP has been providing emergency aid to nearly 200,000 drought-affected people in eight districts in Mid- and Far-Western Nepal.

"During the first phase of the operation, the pilots and our NGO partners did a heroic job overcoming major obstacles such as bad weather, transportation strikes and extremely remote and mountainous terrain to get the food out," the statement quoted Richard Ragan, WFP Representative in Nepal as saying.

WFP is appealing for US$ 16 million for its drought relief operation in Nepal. nepalnews.com pb Feb 09 07