U.S. GIVES $6.8 MILLION TO FEED CONFLICT-AFFECTED POPULATIONS IN NEPAL

October 16, 2007                               

Kathmandu - The United States, through USAID’s Office of Food for Peace and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has provided $6.8 million dollars to the UN World Food Programme’s operation to support the peace process and to provide food aid and livelihood support to conflict-affected people in Nepal.

“This $6.8 million dollars of assistance to the people of Nepal demonstrates the United States of America’s continued support for a more peaceful and prosperous Nepal,” said U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell. “Through the World Food Programme, the $6.8 million dollars will be used to improve the lives of Nepalis who continue to suffer from the effects of years of conflict.”

At a cost of nearly $49 million, WFP’s peace and recovery operation aims to provide food aid and livelihood support to over 1.2 million conflict-affected people in Nepal who continue to struggle to rebuild their lives. As a part of this effort, the US contribution will provide in-kind food aid to over 160,000 people and essential cash resources needed to kick-start the operation.

“Despite efforts made since the end of the conflict last year, many people have yet to receive any tangible benefits from the peace process – they are still hungry, they still lack access to basic services and critical infrastructure, and opportunities to rebuild their lives.  This critical support from the US will enable us to reach-out and provide a safety net to these vulnerable populations during this uncertain time in Nepal’s peace process,” stated Richard Ragan, WFP Country Representative in Nepal.

WFP’s peace and recovery activities will be implemented in 28 of the most food-insecure, conflict-affected districts in Nepal. Programme activities include rehabilitation and construction of critical infrastructure, return and rehabilitation packages, and civic education training.