by Christopher Sharma

In the northern part of the country, drought has destroyed crops with food in short supply for the past three months. As local authorities get NGO activists to leave so as to limit food consumption, Christians, Hindus and Buddhists work together to help the population.

Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - The food shortages that have affected Humla District in northern Nepal for the past three months have deteriorated to such an extent that volunteers from NGOs have begun to leave the area to reduce food consumption.

The Humla area has suffered the most since drought hit Nepal in the past six months. Crops have failed, and food imports are expensive and limited by poor roads. Local residents are still hoping however that volunteers will return very soon.

"The district is in poor conditions," said Babita Lama, head of a Nepali NGO. "'It hurts to say this, but if non-residents stay, they will use up supplies. The latter could last a big longer only if they are restricted to locals. In the six local Protestant parishes, clergymen have left. Still residents continue to visit and pray in them."

"Here little food is being produce anyway and we are forced to import it every year," said Deputy District Chief Bam Bahadur KC. "Local production only covers needs for three months. During the other nine months, we have to rely on imports. We shall try to do our best to resolve the situation as soon as possible."

According to the government, more than 200 staff and volunteers from at least 20 NGOs are normally involved locally.

"Christians, Hindus, and Tibetan Buddhists are among the most active in the district," the official said. "They help the poor by providing education and medical aid. This way, they also help them become aware of their situation and fight religious discrimination."

"People do not want the volunteers who help us to go away," said Binu Rokka, a local resident. "We are ready to feed them even if it means we go hungry."

• nepal
• food
• supplies
• drought
• shortages
• humla