Nepal: European Commission allocates €2.8 million for victims of drought

The European Commission has allocated €2.8 million to assist victims of drought that has affected many regions especially in western Nepal. Food security and nutritional support will be provided to rural populations in the mountainous districts. Funds are channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department, ECHO, under the responsibility of Commissioner Louis Michel.

Last winter, Nepal witnessed the lowest rainfall in recorded history. A drastic decrease in the rainfall had an adverse effect on winter crop production. Moreover, in the far west and mid western hills, the 2006 summer rains started later than usual. This sequence of events culminated in severe food shortages.

This emergency decision targets more than 120,000 people living in the remote mountainous districts of western Nepal. They will receive emergency food aid and the most vulnerable will benefit from nutritional and therapeutic support. Food security projects in the form of short term "Food-for-Work" schemes will be implemented through this funding by international agencies, such as the World Food Programme and the NGO Action Contre la Faim.

Since 1993, the Commission has provided nearly €25 million of humanitarian aid for vulnerable people in Nepal. This includes €9.675 million for the victims of the conflict and €11.9 million in food aid for Bhutanese refugees in the country. The Commission's Humanitarian Aid department is present in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, with a support office. It provides technical assistance to partners and support in the implementation of relief projects.

For further information:

http://ec.europa.eu/echo/field/nepal/index_en.htm

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