Summary of WFP assistance:
WFP operations in Nepal have been revised as a result of the earthquakes that hit the nation recently. Thus, in addition to its regular programmes—Food Assistance for Assets (FFA), Education Support and Nutrition Support activities—an earthquake EMOP started in April and will continue through December. This includes the first phase of immediate general food distribution, reaching 2 million people; a second phase of comprehensive food and nutrition support, aiming to reach 1.1 million people, as well as an initial phase of cash for assets, including light work and debris clearance; and a third and final early recovery, which will be conditional with food and cash for assets activities, with work involving the rehabilitation of community infrastructure, as well as a nutrition component. WFP is working with several partners and UN agencies in supporting the vulnerable and food insecure population.
As a part of the earthquake response, two Special Operations (SO) were set up, the first being support to the humanitarian community in WFP’s capacity as Logistics and Emergency Telecommunications Cluster lead. Through this, WFP is supporting the relief efforts of the Nepal authorities and the humanitarian community by providing logistics augmentation and coordination as well as the provision of emergency telecommunications required for the response to the crisis. It also covers Remote Access Operations (RAO), providing logistics transport services into remote mountainous areas with porters and mules. This component provides support for porters whose livelihoods have been adversely affected by the earthquake, as well as rehabilitating the network of trekking and community trails in the high altitude mountains. Another SO, UNHAS services to the humanitarian community, ensures humanitarian access to earthquake affected areas through the provision of safe and reliable air transport as well as possible medical evacuation of humanitarian staff when required. UNHAS currently has a fleet of four Mi-8 and two AS350 helicopters for the transportation of humanitarian personnel and cargo.
The Country Programme is complemented by the Vulnerability Assessment and Mapping, Emergency Preparedness and Response and Low Birth Weight Study programmes, funded by trust funds. WFP supports the Government to institutionalise the Nepal Food Security Monitoring System (known as NeKSAP) nationwide, a food security monitoring system that includes the integrated food security phase classification and crop and market monitoring. WFP develops and augments government and stakeholder capacity in logistics and ETC for responding to a major earthquake in the Kathmandu Valley. Also, food assistance to refugees from Bhutan, ongoing since 1992, reaches 23,500 people.