Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) started distributing food relief materials from Monday under the project being implemented with financial support from the Nippon Foundation of Japan.

NMA organized a commencement ceremony on Monday at NMA premises before the distribution. Director General of the Department of Tourism Mr. Taranath Adhikari, President of NMA Mr. Santa Bir Lama started the process by handing over the packets of rice, lentil, salt and cooking oil to mountaineers. 

Famous climbers Mrs. Maya Sherpa and Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, NMA General Secretary Mr. Kul Bahadur Gurung, Secretary Mr. Tikaram Gurung, Board members Mr. Sarki Tamang, Mr. Singi Lama had also accompanied the president and chief guest. 

Two hundred and two mountaineers (NMA book holders) received the food materials on the very 1st day of the distribution. Every Mountaineer has received 50-kg rice (Jeera Masino), 5-kg lentil (Musuro), 2-kg salt (aayo) and 2-liter soybean oil.

NMA will continue distribution of the relief materials this week from NMA. 

Three thousand (3000) mountaineers will be provided with the same amount of food materials as the relief package under project. However only 1600 mountaineers are selected for the 1st phase. 

Among the 1600 mountaineers 490 will receive relief materials from NMA secretariat Nagpokhari Naxal and remaining mountaineers will receive it from Kapan. 

NMA had carried out a survey to select 3000 recipients from eleven thousand five hundred NMA registered mountaineers. Mountaineers had also expressed their desired place to receive the relief material. NNA is distributing the relief materials accordingly. 

The distribution will resume on Wednesday after the Mahashivaratri break on Tuesday. Then, the distribution will be carried out in Kapan.

Director General of Department of Tourism Mr. Adhikari wished for success. ‘‘I also got the chance to participate in the mid-term review meeting of this project. I know the project will help cope the situation trigger by COVID-19 pandemic’’, Mr. Adhikari said, ‘‘I also like to thank NMA and the Nippon foundation for making all this possible.’’

NMA President Mr. Lama expressed his happiness to see the planning being successful. ‘‘We had approached the Nippon Foundation for this help after seeing COVID-19 pandemic compelling the mountaineers eke out for their daily meals,’’ he said, ‘‘Now, we are distributing food relief materials to mountaineers. I would like to thank the foundation for accepting our proposal and helping us. I also would like to request all the concerned to help us accomplishing it transparently.’’

Program Director of the Nippon Foundation Mr. Wada Makoto and Program Officer Masuda Remi had also participated in the program through zoom