Japan extends Food Assistance Programme to Nepal

KATHMANDU – The Government of Japan has agreed to extend a Grant Assistance of 350 million yen (¥350,000,000), equivalent to about Rs 324.8 million, to Nepal for implementing the Food Assistance Programme in Japan’s fiscal year 2017.
Masashi Ogawa, Ambassador of Japan to Nepal, and Shankar Prasad Adhikari, Secretary of the Ministry of Finance signed and exchanged notes to this effect of behalf of their respective governments at the Ministry of Finance on Thursday.
The assistance aims at assisting Nepal implement the Food Assistance Programme to ensure food security to the needy Nepali people. Last year Nepal was hit by several natural calamities including floods and heavy rain that caused many agricultural products to be washed away or were left to wither in the fields resulting in food shortages. The assistance from Japan will help the Nepal to procure rice and supply it to people living in the food deficit districts.
Ogawa, on the occasion said that he wished that the food assistance will assist Nepal to address the urgent food needs in the deficit districts and ease the difficulties of the people.
The ambassador also added that the food assistance would also contribute towards strengthening the long-standing friendly and cooperative relationship between the peoples of Japan and Nepal.