Kathmandu, August 22
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Nepal says it received an additional contribution of £788,000 (Rs 130 million) from the government of the United Kingdom towards its nutrition support for vulnerable families in Nepal.
The UKaid contribution, through the British Embassy Kathmandu, comes at a time when monsoon floods, on top of the socio-economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, are disrupting livelihoods and exacerbating food insecurity and malnutrition for many Nepalis, the UN agency says in a statement.
This funding is in addition to the £4.49 million (Rs 678 million) the WFP received from the UK government in December 2020 towards the agency’s response to Covid-19.
“Natural hazards affect marginalised communities disproportionately, including women and children. Protecting the health of the Nepali people is a top UK priority. The UK is glad to be supporting WFP’s efforts to make sure vulnerable Nepalis, especially mothers and children, receive proper food and nutrition,” said Nathanael Bevan, the development director of the British Embassy in Kathmandu.
The agency says this support will serve more than 100,000 mothers and children in eight districts in Province 2, Sunsari in Province 1, Jajarkot in Karnali, and Kailali and Kanchanpur in Sudurpaschim.
“The pandemic and its socio-economic impact have put unrelenting pressure on Nepali families’ food security. Between December 2020 and June 2021, the number of households experiencing income loss has doubled – from 21 to 45 per cent – making food increasingly out of reach for many,” the WFP Nepal’s Country Director ad interim Jane Pearce says. “We are thankful for this timely contribution from the UK government. It will enable us to reach the most vulnerable mothers and children whose lives have been made harder by Covid-19, and now the monsoon, in support of the Government of Nepal’s emergency preparedness and response.”
