9 May 2006

Alarming nutrition rates in north-western Nepal – severe malnutrition rates are higher than in Darfur

Amidst political instability, the north-west of Nepal has been affected by drought for more than six months. This has led to a serious humanitarian crisis among people living in isolated areas of the region. Following a one month assessment in the region, Action Against Hunger teams have found that less than 15% of the population has any food left and that severe malnutrition rates among children under five years old are higher than in Darfur. Action Against Hunger mobilises in response to this alarming situation and calls for action by the international community.

An already fragile population

Nearly 40% of Nepal’s population lives on less than 1$US per day and health indicators are worrying in terms of child and maternal mortality, chronic malnutrition and anaemia. 60% of households are not self-sufficient, especially in mountainous areas, while agricultural production only covers food requirements for 3-8 months per year. In rural areas controlled by Maoists, the conflict that re-started in 1993 affects civilian populations that are forced to comply with the orders of different actors (taxation, forced recruitment, imprisonment, restricted movement) or to flee. The Nepalese government has not been present in the area since three years.

The worst drought ever, according to local people

In addition to chronic food insecurity and the consequences of the conflict, the current drought threatens the population: 57% of farmers have not been able to harvest and the remaining ones have only collected 25-50% of what they usually harvest. In the absence of external support, this directly affects populations living in isolated areas. The results of Action Against Hunger’s assessment are alarming:

• Less than 15% of the population has any food left
• 38% of the population is already suffering from anaemia (at more than 20%, anaemia becomes a national public health problem)
• 3 out of 5 children examined are suffering from chronic malnutrition
• 3 out of 100 children suffer from the most fatal form of malnutrition. These very high malnutrition rates are higher than those in current humanitarian crises such as Darfur. However, little attention has been paid to the sparsely populated and isolated regions in north-western Nepal.

Action Against Hunger’s emergency intervention

In view of the alarming situation, an emergency response is required: the next harvest is not expected until September. Action Against Hunger teams are setting up nutrition centres to treat malnutrition. The distribution of seeds for the next agricultural season is planned. However, the political instability of the last few weeks has seriously affected the implementation of programmes due to restricted movement, supply difficulties, etc. Action Against Hunger calls on the international community to take action to support populations suffering from the crisis.

***ENDS***

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