KATHMANDU: Among the 476 households surveyed by World Food Programme (WFP) between July and September, summer crop losses of more than 30 per cent have been experienced. Of critical concern is the situation in Bajura, Achham, Darchula, Jumla, Humla, Mugu, Dailekh, Rukum, and Taplejung district where main summer crops (paddy, millet and maize) have failed by 30-70 per cent across multiple VDCs. Of additional concern are VDCs within Kalikot, Dolpa, Rolpa, Makwanpur, Sindhuli, Udayapur, and Panchthar where at least one crop has failed by 30-70 per cent. These areas will face a critical food security situation from January onwards as the extent of population affected is very high. According to the survey, the total number of food insecure people across Nepal is estimated to be 3.7 million — approximately 16.4 per cent of the rural population. WFP Nepal is feeding 1.6 million people which has had a significant impact on reducing this figure. July-August is typically a period of heightened food insecurity across Nepal, states the survey. This year’s lean period was particularly severe in several areas of the country due to the 2008-09 winter drought which led to reduced household food stocks and in the worst affected areas household food shortages. Across Nepal, the current food consumption of 40 per cent of households which reported a poor summer harvest or poor production outlook is already of serious concern; about half of these households have inadequate levels of consumption. In addition, 25 per cent of surveyed households with no crop loss also have below acceptable levels of consumption. Rising food prices are still an issue of key concern. The current government year-on-year food price inflation figure is 16.7 per cent. Further price spikes for staple grains are expected in early 2010 due to recent large scale crop losses in South and Central Asia. Across Nepal the food consumption score of households which reported a poor summer harvest and/or production outlook indicates that almost 50 per cent of these households already have below acceptable levels of consumption. This level is not enough to meet the basic nutritional needs of adults and if prolonged can result in malnutrition, stunting and wasting amongst children. Of critical concern are 15 per cent of households surveyed (drought and non-drought affected).