EC's ECHO to extend Rs 144 million for assisting Bhutanese refugees in Nepal

The Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection Office (ECHO) of the European Commission (EC) has agreed to finance up to some Rs 144 million to contribute to the eligible costs of the humanitarian aid Action entitled Food Assistance to Bhutanese Refugees, Nepal implemented by the World Food Programme (WFP).

The EC funding covers a period of six months starting 1/07/2010 and ending 31/12/2010. The principal objective of the humanitarian intervention is to save lives by providing secure access to food and safeguard the nutritional status of the refugee beneficiaries.

The specific objective of this Action is to work towards safeguarding lives and maintaining nutritional status of dependent refugee populations residing in seven different camps in eastern Nepal and meet the basic food consumption need of the refugee population living in the camps.

The intervention aims at improving and stabilising the nutritional status of refugee population, particularly among vulnerable groups, including children under five, pregnant and lactating women as well as those who are chronically ill.

The EC assistance to Bhutanese refugees started in the year 2006 and the total disbursements by the Humanitarian office alone has reached 9 million Euros till date. The Delegation of the European Union to Nepal also supports them through the UNHCR.