A press release issued by WFP-Nepal says the fund will be used to provide food and cash assistance to 46,500 people in Bajhang and Baitadi districts for three and half months through WFP´s current food assistance operation. [break]
“WFP is very grateful to Germany for this generous contribution, which is especially valuable at this time when we are facing funding shortfalls.This assistance will be vital in strengthening the resilience of the neediest in these districts,” said WFP Nepal Country Director, Nicole Menage.
Project participants receive rice and lentils and cash in exchange for work on community asset-building projects, such as the construction of rural roads and micro-irrigation systems, as well as small-scale plantations and nurseries and related skills training.
These projects are critically needed in Nepal to help poor communities improve farming practices in areas where agricultural production is commonly sufficient for only three to five months of the year, the release added.
The German International Cooperation (GIZ) has been a long-time WFP partner in the implementation of similar community-based livelihood projects in Nepal.
More than 3.5 million people are currently considered to be food-insecure in Nepal and 41 percent of the population is estimated to be undernourished.
WFP is currently providing food assistance to over one million people across the country.
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