Kathmandu, October 22:

The French government today announced Rs 51.8 million assistance for the Koshi river victims. The aid would be distributed through the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

Gilles-Henry Garault, French ambassador to Nepal, expressed hope that the aid would help the WFP ease the problems the food victims have been facing, stated a joint press release issued by the French Embassy and WFP today. The release said the WFP will provide rice, lentils, vegetable oil and salt to the displaced in living in Sunsari, and Saptari districts.

“The Franch support came at a critical time. The Koshi has subsided, but many people are still in dire straits,” said WFP representative to Nepal Richard Ragan, issuing a press statement. “The Koshi victims need assistance to return to their home and villages”.

According to the release, a recent multi-agency assessment in the flood-ravaged area found that acute malnutrition rate among the displaced children under five years old is 13 per cent. Up to one-third of the children are at the risk of malnutrition. The displaced have been living in temporary camps.