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 UN World Food Programme (WFP) 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 WFP humanitarian food assistance to drought and conflict-affected populations, and vulnerable women and children can be made available so that WFP can continue its efforts to protect the lives of vulnerable families across Nepal,” Richard Ragan, WFP 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.
