Kathmandu: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Nepal said on Sunday that it welcomes a generous contribution of $499,951 from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for monitoring activities that improve the quality and availability of data about food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in Nepal.
According to WFP’s latest household assessment released in October 2022, approximately 17 percent (4.91 million) of people living in Nepal are food insecure, a significant increase from 13.2 percent in June 2022.
WFP and partners will use data generated under this initiative to continuously assess the impact of the global food crisis and other shocks and stresses on household food security at the national and provincial level. Increasing the frequency and scope of data collection will enable stakeholders including WFP, the Government of Nepal, development, and humanitarian actors make better informed decisions about when, where, and how to invest in resilience building activities that safeguard food security for Nepal’s most vulnerable social groups, especially women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized social groups. Key outputs will include monthly market assessments, household surveys, and agricultural production monitoring reports.
“Data generated through USAID’s partnership with the World Food Programme will help the government of Nepal, local actors and development partners better understand who is most affected by food insecurity and how to respond with the most appropriate form of assistance,” said Karen Welch, Acting USAID Nepal Mission Director.
On the occasion, WFP Nepal lauded USAID for its contribution to sustainable food security and improved nutrition outcomes in Nepal. “This partnership with USAID is a significant step towards achieving sustainable food security and improved nutrition outcomes in Nepal,” said WFP Nepal Country Director, Robert Kasca. “Through rigorous data collection and analysis, we will be better equipped to address the challenges faced by our most vulnerable communities.” “This collaboration underscores the commitment of both organizations to creating a Nepal where no one goes to bed hungry,” he added. “WFP and USAID look forward to making lasting strides in the fight against hunger and malnutrition.”
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