The Supplies Ministry has rushed more than 100 tonnes of food to flood affected areas in eastern Nepal. The ministry said it started sending provisions for the flood victims from Tuesday. 

The ministry has targeted distributing relief packages to 50,000 flood-hit families in the first stage. Each family will be provided 30 kg of rice, 2 kg of pulses, 1 kg of salt and 1 litre of cooking oil, according to ministry officials. 

On Tuesday, 99.72 tonnes of rice in 3,324 packets of 30 kg each were issued to flood victims in eastern Nepal, a ministry source said. Similarly, 4,000 kg of pulses and 5,400 kg of salt were distributed that day.

“The ministry distributed 5,000 kg of salt through Salt Trading Corporation’s depot in Birgunj and another 400 kg from its Biratnagar depot,” the source said. “Likewise, the Birgunj depot issued 6,000 litres of cooking oil.”

Special task teams have been formed at the ministry and other supply related government agencies like the Department of Supplies Management, National Trading, Salt Trading Corporation, Nepal Oil Corporation and Nepal Food Corporation to ensure effective distribution of the relief materials. The ministry said it distributed the relief packages through the Natural Disaster Relief Committee under the district administration offices (DAOs) that includes local representatives. 

“We are fully alert to avoid possible duplication of beneficiaries and misuse of relief packages,” said a ministry source, adding that they have asked authorities to report to the ministry on a daily basis. Meanwhile, the ministry has formed separate monitoring teams at the local level in coordination with the concerned DAOs to check the distribution process and ensure effective delivery of relief materials. 

According to the ministry, Nepal Food Corporation has 16,199 tonnes of rice and 100 tonnes of pulses in stock. Similarly, Salt Trading Corporation holds enough salt to fulfill the country’s requirement for six months. Nepal Oil Corporation has sufficient fuel stocks. Meanwhile, 2,200 kilolitres of diesel and 1,200 kilolitres of petrol are en route to the Kathmandu Valley.

Record flooding triggered by incessant rain has affected 26 districts, mainly in the Tarai region. The disaster has claimed 123 lives and affected 34,000 households so far. A large number of people are reported missing. 

Meanwhile, the Supplies Ministry has planned to create an emergency management fund. It has formulated the Calamities Management Work Plan 2017 to set up the permanent fund which will maintain smooth supply of essentials during emergencies.