§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether the food insecurity in Nepal has improved in recent months; whether she expects a humanitarian crisis in the mid and far west regions of Nepal to materialise; and if she will make a statement. [75111]
§ Clare ShortIt is extremely difficult at present to obtain accurate information on the food situation in the hill districts of the Mid and Far West of Nepal, which have traditionally been areas of food insecurity. Recent reports suggest that food supply in those parts of the country has been affected by the poor monsoon this year, the migration of young men from conflict affected areas, and restrictions on movements and on the supply of food by Maoist and Government security forces. For example, in some mountain districts we estimate the millet crop will be only 80per cent. of normal levels.
It is too early to say that there will be a humanitarian crisis in the Mid and Far West of the country. The greatest need at present is for more reliable information. DFID is monitoring the situation closely. DFID recently provided £115,000 to increase the capacity of the World Food Programme's Vulnerability and Monitoring Unit. We are also closely in touch with other organisations monitoring the situation including the UNDP, the International Nepal Fellowship and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
In September I wrote, on behalf of Utstein ministers, to the Prime Minister of Nepal expressing concern over the situation and urging the Government to relax restrictions on the supply of food and medicines to conflict affected districts. The recent meeting of the international community in Kathmandu hosted by the PUSS FCO on 11 October also urged the removal of these restrictions.
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