Brussels, 25/10/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 24 October, the European Commission decided to allocate €2.8 million to assist victims of drought that has affected many regions especially the mountainous districts of western Nepal. Funds are channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid department, ECHO, under the responsibility of Louis Michel, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid.
Last winter, Nepal had the lowest rainfall in recorded history, with drastic consequences on the harvest. Also, the same year, in the western part of the country, the summer rains began to fall later than usual. This sequence of events culminated in severe food shortages. Aid granted by the Commission should allow more than 120,000 people living in the remote mountainous areas of western Nepal to receive food and medical care. It will be implemented on the ground by international agencies such as the World Food Programme and the NGO, Action Contre la Faim. (ol)