“We don´t have any data that specifically shows how many people are under food insecurity,” said Dr Hari Dahal, joint secretary and spokesperson of the ministry. “Though we have food surplus this year, the situation is unlikely to improve because we don´t have mechanism in place to distribute food to the needy.” [break]
According to the World Food Program (WFP), 3.5 million people were under food insecurity in the country. Explaining the necessity of Food Security Division, Dahal said, “It would have been easier if we had actual data, forecast and overall coordination required to improve food security situation."
Due to the timely monsoon, Nepal has around 400,000 tons of food surplus in the country this year. “I think, if there was existence of Food Security Division in the ministry, there would of course be discussions on how we could distribute the surplus food.”
Moreover, the Interim Plan had another provision to provide at least 100 days employment to the families that are food insecure. To get this done, ministry must have data that show which families were under food insecurity in the country.
The Interim Plan, a blueprint to upgrade the national mechanism and infrastructure with sound planning, admitted 35 per cent of the total population were facing food shortages. “Adequate attention is not paid to food insecurity at the national level,” Interim Plan acknowledges.
According to Dahal, many districts in mid and far western regions remain under food insecurity this year as well. “There are some efforts from different agencies, but nothing at the national level to address the problem of food security in those regions.”
The Interim Plan 2007/2008 - 2009/2010, which was replaced by Three Year Plan 2010/11 - 2012/13, also has a vision to establish an Information Centre in the Ministry of Local Development (MoLD).
However, Dipendra Bahadur Kshetry, vice-chairperson of the National Planning Commission (NPC), said some efforts had been made to establish Food Security Division in the MoAC. “I think, work is in progress to establish a division in the ministry with the help of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation.”
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