BAJURA, JULY 7
Food items were distributed to 62 families of Muktikot village that were facing a severe shortage of food in Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality-1 of Bajura district, on Wednesday.
Similarly, lito (baby cereal) was also provided to children suffering from malnutrition.
Following the publication of news regarding their struggles in The Himalayan Times, 62 among the 400 households that were among the most affected from food shortage were provided with food supplies along with Sarvottam Pitho (baby cereal) for 41 undernourished children, informed Chirinjivi Shahi, Chair of Swamikartik Khapar.
The relief items collected by various organisations and individuals including social activist Samrat Singh Basnet and Stories of Nepal, We all Rotate, were distributed in coordination with the rural municipality and Badimalika Khabar.
"The relief came as a timely rain to us bringing us much happiness," said local Man Bahadur BK.
"We have tried to provide little help in the form of nutritious food to children suffering from malnutrition but we will continue to help the children," claimed social activist Samrat Singh Basnet.
Muktikot village has been suffering from scarce food as a drought has severely affected agricultural produce in the area.
With the enforcement of lockdown with the spread of coronavirus pandemic, the villagers have been denied of opportunities of income generation.
According to information officer at the rural municipality, Kuber Shahi, 95 per cent of the families in Muktikot village are living under severe food shortage leading to malnutrition among them children, pregnant women and the elderly.
Every year children die of malnutrition in the village, he added.
Swamikartik Rural Municipality is one of the poorest local levels in the country. According to a report published by Poor Households Support and Coordination Board, 2072, as many as 75 per cent of the families fall below the poverty line.
Similarly, among the 2,185 families in the Swamikarti Khapar Rural Municipality, 1,838 were living in severe poverty.
