EU provides grant worth Euro4 million to WFP

The European Union (EU) is providing a grant assistance of Euro4 million (approximately Rs 420 million) to institutionalise the Nepal Food Security Monitoring System -- Nepal Khadya Surakshya Anugaman Pranali -- popularly known as (NeKSAP) and to gradually hand it over to Nepal.
This contribution will be used to implement capacity development activities in the areas of food security over a period of four years. This is the second phase of funding provided by the EU to develop the NeKSAP.
"The European Union has prioritised food security as a key area for poverty reduction and economic development across the developing world. We believe this programme will strengthen the government’s capacity to understand the many facets of food insecurity in Nepal and to formulate and implement appropriate evidence-based policies and programmes" said ambassador and head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Nepal Dr Alexander Spachis.
He explained that the grant provided to WFP would be instrumental to develop the capacities at the field level to monitor food security trends and developments.
“We are very grateful for this generous assistance from the EU, which will play an important part in embedding this comprehensive food security monitoring system within the government structure,” said WFP Nepal country representative Nicole Menage.
The NeKSAP was established in 2002 and is currently managed by WFP in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives.
It is considered the most comprehensive food security monitoring system now operational in Nepal and has as its primary objective the collection, consolidation and analysis of food security data to be used by decision makers, allowing them to take coordinated and timely action to alleviate food insecurity in the country.
The District Food Security Networks (DFSNs) form the core of the NekSAP and are established in 72 out of the 75 districts. They are composed of officials and representatives from district-based government agencies, local and international NGOs, and civil society. The DFSNs assess and monitor the food security situation in the respective districts using a standardized food security phase classification approach.
The NeKSAP collects, analyzes and disseminates information from across the country on topics such as household food security, emerging crises, markets, agricultural production and nutrition.
Building upon the extensive knowledge and experience that WFP has gained in the area of food security monitoring and analysis, this programme will ultimately allow Nepal to manage and maintain the NeKSAP on its own and ensure its sustainability at the central, regional and district levels.