Nepalese at risk of starvation: WFP

Kathmandu, June 26 (PTI) - Hundreds of thousands of
Nepalese in desperate need of food aid, particularly those
suffering from severe drought in the Himalayan state's
far-west, are at risk of starvation.

The U.N. World Food Programme (W.F.P.) said strikes
and shutdowns in the country has limited its ability to
provide vital humanitarian assistance to hundreds of thousands
of Nepalis in desperate need of food aid. It has resulted in
suspension of its food deliveries to the needy.

"I urge all parties to work together to resolve this
crisis so that the trucks and fuel needed to carry W.F.P.
humanitarian food assistance to drought and conflict-affected
populations, and vulnerable women and children can be made
available so that W.F.P. can continue its efforts to protect
the lives of vulnerable families across Nepal," Richard Ragan,
W.F.P. country representative to Nepal, said in a statement.

There has been severe food scarcity in the country's
northern districts due to China restricting movement at its
border with Nepal in order to check anti-Beijing protests in
Kathmandu.

Mustang, depending entirely on Tibet for its food and
ration supplies, has been reeling under a virtual famine since
the Chinese authorities restricted the movement of Nepalese
citizens at Chhoser, the border check point, officials earlier
said.

Situated at a high altitude in Himalayas, Mustang does
not have a direct road link with Kathmandu. Earlier, locals
used to cross the Tibetan border to get their daily ration and
other supplies and it worked well till last month.

Since last month, according to officials, China has
halted issuing visas to visitors from Nepal and imposed
restrictions on local Nepalese who used to cross the border
for supplies. Reports earlier said that residents of north
eastern Nepal's Taplejung district also faced one of their
worst food crisis after China sealed its border. PTI