KATHMANDU, Oct 25: The United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DfID) has donated British Pound 1.5 million to the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for trail reconstruction for boosting food security and development.

The WFP has welcomed the contribution for the post-earthquake reconstruction work, according to a press release issued by the DfID on Monday. "Through the donation, the WFP will be able to support the Government of Nepal's efforts to rebuild critical infrastructure such as trails in remote areas affected by the quake in 2015."

"Nearly 18 months ago, the devastating earthquakes destroyed trails and roads in large swathes of rural Nepal -- and the effects are still being felt today," Pippa Bradford, WFP Nepal Representative and Country Director, has been quoted in the release. "WFP knows that access to trails helps communities reach markets and social services, and is inextricably linked to food security and economic development."

The contribution will be used to rehabilitate six trails -- 129-kilometers -- and complete engineer assessments on a further six trails -- 158-kilometers -- in the areas that were most severely affected by the quake. The new trails will be built to withstand seasonal landslides as well as future earthquakes, it added. "The project will directly or indirectly benefit approximately 55,175 people living in the mountainous areas of Dhading, Gorkha, and Rasuwa districts," the release added.

Gail Marzetti, head of DfID Nepal, said: "Investing in rural access, including with foot trails and bridges, is fundamental for the reconstruction effort in some of the most difficult to reach earthquake affected area."

WFP has been active in trail reconstruction across its long history in Nepal, most recently in its response to the 2015 earthquakes, when around 880 kilometers of trails were either reopened or rehabilitated providing access for 130,000 people, the release adds.

 
• department for international development
 
• 1.5 million british pound
 
• united nations world food program