KATHMANDU: As a result of an indefinite strike called by the Tharu group in Tarai, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) has been unable to deliver critical humanitarian assistance. WFP and its suppliers are facing severe delays and have not been able to efficiently distribute some 3,000 MT food, says the WFP. In the past 10 days food deliveries have not been able to reach more than 3,25,000 highly food insecure Nepalis, including Koshi flood victims and the Bhutanese refugees.

The lack of rainfall during the winter crop season and prevailing drought in Mid-and-Far Western Nepal has resulted in pervasive food insecurity for more than two million people.