KATHMANDU, August 21: The UK government has made an additional contribution of £788,000 (Rs 130 million) toward its nutrition support for vulnerable families in Nepal.
The UK aid 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, according to a press statement issued by WFP Office in Kathmandu.
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This funding is in addition to the £4.49 million (NPR 678 million) WFP received from the UK Government in December 2020 towards the agency’s response to COVID-19. “Natural hazards affect marginalized 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,” a press statement issued by the WFP quoted Development Director at the British Embassy Kathmandu, Nathanael Bevan, as saying.
This support will mean more than 100,000 mothers and children in 8 districts in Province 2, Sunsari in Province 1, Jajarkot in Karnali province, Kailali, and Kanchanpur in Sudur Paschim province will receive Super Cereal, a specialized nutritional product that helps prevent malnutrition, for two months. Mothers will also receive information and counselling on nutrition and COVID-19.Part of the contribution will help WFP conduct a new round of cross-country household food security surveys.
Nepal is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Each year, tens of thousands of people are affected by floods, landslides and other forms of natural hazards linked to climate change. Already over 15 percent of households in Nepal are food-insecure, while around 39 percent of children between 6 to 23 months do not meet minimum dietary requirements. This monsoon season, women and children’s access to adequate and nutritious food is further threatened by COVID-19.
“The pandemic and its socio-economic impact have put unrelenting pressure on Nepalese families’ food security. Between December 2020 and June 2021, the number of households experiencing income loss has doubled - from 21 to 45 percent - making food increasingly out of reach for many. 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, and now the monsoon, in support of the Government of Nepal’s emergency preparedness and response,” the statement quoted WFP Nepal Country Director a.i Jane Pearce as saying.
