Kathmandu, December 9

The United Nations and several embassies based in Kathmandu today drew the attention of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to the humanitarian crisis resulting due to shortages of fuel, medicines and other essential commodities.

The Acting Head of the UN, ambassadors and heads of several embassies, including those of UK, the USA, Switzerland, Australia and representatives from some international agencies in Kathmandu had jointly called on PM Oli at the latter’s office in Singha Durbar.

“During the meeting, they briefed the Prime Minister on the impact of the current fuel crisis on humanitarian work in the aftermath of the April and May earthquakes,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

According to a source, the envoys said that the humanitarian efforts being carried out by the donor communities have been severely affected due to the lack of essential supplies, including fuel.

In response, the Prime Minister assured them that the government would manage necessary fuel for them to carry out humanitarian work and also expressed hope that the current blockade would end soon, according to the source.

Issuing a statement, Nepal’s development partners yesterday had also expressed their deepest concern at critical and growing shortages of essential and lifesaving medicines, as well as the ongoing fuel crisis that has severely impeded service delivery.