Royal Thai Ambassador Vutti Vuttisant and UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Representative to Nepal Dr Somsak Pipoppinyo, FAOR, paid a courtesy call to Minister for Agricultural Development  Hari Prasad Parajuli at his office in Singh Durbar.

Welcoming the dignitaries, Minister Parajuli extended gratitude to Their Majesties King and Queen, the Government and people of the Thailand for their support in the rescue and relief operation immediately after the devastating earthquake that occurred in Nepal on April 25, 2015.

Their Majesties the King and the Queen have donated Bt10 million (US$400,000) via the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation for the delivery of help to victims of Nepal's earthquake.

Thailand has mobilizing soldiers, doctors, planes during rescue operation. Relief material from the Government and private sectors of Thailand include tents, blankets, food items and medicines. 

Reiterating further support from Thai Ambassador Vuttisant said that Government of Thailand will soon extend grant assistance of Bt 260 Million (US $ 8 Million) out of which US $4  Million will be allocated for emergency relief as well as on the rehabilitation and reconstruction process.

 Dr Somsak Pipoppinyo, FAOR, said that FAO has supported the 6 district units of Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD)todistributed40 000 bags of rice and is the process of distributing 50 000 composite packets of vegetable seeds, 20 000 packages animal feeds and 40 000 super grain storage bags tomore than 100 000 earthquake affected farmers of the districts of Gorkha Dhading, Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok and Dolakha.

FAO has mobilised USD 1.70 million with USD 700 000 its own source and further EUR 400 000 grant assistance received from the Government of Italy and USD 500 000 from the Government of Belgium. These funds will supportfarmers with seeds for summer planting, livestock support to keep surviving animals healthy and productive and with grain storage to prevent further food losses.