Kathmandu, April 3:

Mark Squirrell, associated with the World Food Programme (WFP) as a security officer, is raring to climb Mount Everest with a mission of his own. He sets off towards his destination tomorrow.

The latest trip undertaken by Squirrell — who has been known to make a number of trips to the remote region — will be different this time since the “objective is to raise awareness about hunger and the need to assist deprived local children.”

“The climb is intended as an opportunity to raise awareness in the region about starving children, while raising money for the WFP programmes in Nepal,” Squirell will be scaling Everest on May 21, the day when hundreds of thousands of people worldwide will undertake the “Walk the World” to call for an end to child hunger. “Walk the World” is organised by WFP and its partners to raise awareness and funds to fight the scourge of child starvation, which accounts for 18,000 deaths a day. In 2005, over 2,00,000 people participated in Walk the World, raising $1.5 million. “Walk the Walk, 2006” is expected to involve 7,50,000 enthusiasts in over 100 countries.

“I’m very excited to finally get going,” said Squirrell, popularly known as “Squiz”. An Australian national, Squiz has the support of WFP worldwide. Sponsors for his equipment include Youngone and the Chaudhary Group, with proceeds meant for WFP’s school feeding programmes in Nepal.

WFP provides food for 5,70,000 children through schools in 22 districts of Nepal. In Kathmandu, WFP staff and 1,500 school children are expected to mark “Walk the World” with a walk from Maitighar to Patan Durbar Square.

“Whether we top the summit or not, it’s an incredible opportunity,” said Squiz. “We have the ability to make people more aware of the ongoing problem of hunger in the region, and with luck we can help hundreds of children in the process.”