Probe gives clean chit to WFP over epidemic

KATHMANDU, Nov 1: A government committee formed to probe into the outbreak of cholera in mid and far-western districts a few months ago has concluded that the major cause of the outbreak was contaminated water. [break]



The nine-member committee headed by Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya, joint secretary at the Ministry of Local Development, described environmental pollution, lack of hygienic practices, consumption of stale food and open defecation as other reasons behind the epidemic.



Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission including some NGOs had claimed that the food distributed by World Food Program (WFP) was a reason of the outbreak, saying that the foodstuff was unfit for human consumption. The WFP has refuted the accusations.



The committee has said it did not find enough evidence to prove that the food caused the outbreak. However, the committee has said there is still room for improvement.



"Though it is found that WFP has maintained enough alertness on distribution, management and storage of the food, there are several aspects that require improvement in the food quality," said a report prepared by the committee.



"There is a need of establishing a permanent mechanism including all stakeholders concerned to regularly monitor and inspect the food quality," it said.



While the WFP distributes mainly rice to the locals, the committee recommended the agencies concerned to distribute cash for work as per the specific needs of particular places and other food grains along with rice and to buy foodstuff from local market for distribution.

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