US concerned over possible humanitarian crisis in Nepal

 The US today expressed serious concern over the volatile situation along the Indo-Nepal border due to the blockade by Indian-origin Madhesis which could put "lives at stake", resulting in a humanitarian crisis.

US Embassy here said "it is deeply concerned by the increasingly volatile situation along the Nepal-India border, resulting in critical shortages of fuel, medicine, and foodstuffs, including in areas still reeling from the devastating earthquakes of April and May."

"With winter only weeks away, the intentional donor community is unable to deliver vital relief and shelter supplies to many vulnerable communities," the embassy said in a statement.

"Lives are at stake, and we are concerned that a humanitarian crisis may result."
The US called on "all the stakeholders to redouble their efforts to resolve this crisis and that everyone should contribute to creating positive conditions for meaningful political dialogue to ensure that the constitution accommodates the aspirations of all Nepalese."
It also expressed its readiness "to assist the people and government of Nepal as they continue along their democratic path and rebuild from the April earthquake."

Madhesis, Indian-origin inhabitants of Nepal's Terai region, are protesting division of their ancestral homeland in the new Constitution and their agitation has closed the main trading point near Raxaul, halting supply of essential goods from India, causing an acute shortage of fuel in Nepal.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Kamal Thapa has drawn the attention of the international community toward the ongoing crisis in Nepal, saying that the blockade facing Nepal in its southern border may result in an unjust and severe humanitarian crisis.

"We are at a very delicate situation resulting from the obstruction of essential supplies at the border points. If the current trend is not checked, the country is likely to experience an unjust and severe humanitarian crisis," said Thapa delivering Nepal's statement to the 23rd Session of Universal Periodic Review in Geneva, Switzerland.

Earlier this week, the US had asked Nepalese people to engage in the democratic process through peaceful means after a 19-year-old Indian was killed in the ongoing violence over the new Constitution.