The World Food Programme’s (WFP) emergency helicopter operations has provided a ray of hope to 2.5 lakh starving populace of the drought-hit Far-western region. By launching one of the logistically most difficult and expensive operations costing $5.3 million, the UN agency is in the process of airlifting food supplies. The US embassy, too, has been gracious enough to pledge $0.25 million to USAID, which will go to the WFP’s emergency operations to foot the bills of airlifting the supplies. So far only those residing in Bajura, Dailekh, Kalikot and Jajarkot districts have been lucky enough to benefit from the initial phase of the operation. However, the people of Rolpa, Dolpa, Rukum, Humla, Jumla and Mugu run the grave risk of starvation if immediate efforts are not made to mobilise additional funds.

All the previous governments, unfortunately, have lacked foresight in redressing the problem of chronic food shortage in the Far-western region. With the improvement in the security situation, the stockpiling of food reserves can serve as a permanent solution. It’s about time to shed the culture of excessive dependency on international donors even for as basic a need as food. Any local effort towards self-reliance or public support in ameliorating the situation will always be welcome. Now that a costly UN operation is under way, the establishment needs to be doubly alert that only the targeted groups and not the agents and suppliers runaway with the benefits. To misuse humanitarian funds or to force the citizens to starve to death would be downright criminal.