Rasuwa, Nepal – To address the food security challenges faced by residents of the remote Humla district, the Nepal Food Corporation has resumed transporting rice via the Rasuwa Gadhi border and the Tibetan Kerung route. This initiative aims to ensure affordable and consistent supplies of essential food items in the region.
The shipment, consisting of 5,050 quintals of rice, began its journey from Kathmandu and has now reached the Kerung checkpoint in Tibet. Nepali containers are responsible for the transportation up to Kerung, after which Chinese vehicles will carry the goods through Tibetan territory to Humla's Hilsa checkpoint. This process, which involves multiple modes of transportation, is expected to take approximately six days.
Upon reaching Hilsa, the food grains will be distributed to key centers, including Simkot, the district headquarters, and Yalbang in Namkha Rural Municipality. The final leg of the journey will use tractors and mules to transport the goods to Nepal Food Corporation warehouses and distribution points.
According to Suresh Thokar, a member of the Lama Shrijana Jebi Cooperative, the use of this route significantly reduces transportation costs. Chief Customs Officer Tulsi Prasad Bhattarai of Timure Customs Office confirmed that the required customs procedures have been completed smoothly.
This route, which has been used in previous years, underscores Nepal's reliance on cross-border cooperation to tackle logistical challenges in remote regions. By leveraging the Tibetan road network, the Nepal Food Corporation continues to prioritize efficient and cost-effective solutions to support vulnerable communities in Humla.
The government’s commitment to this initiative reflects its focus on addressing food insecurity while ensuring that essential supplies reach even the most isolated parts of the country.
