Staff reporter

Recognizing the urgent needs in storage systems for food and emergency supplies, WFP Bhutan yesterday handed over to the Department of Disaster Management (DDM), a container and five Mobile Storage Houses (MSHs) worth USD 120,000.

The container and MSH could be used for storage of food, agricultural produce or act as multi-purpose halls and used for functions such as agricultural marketing. Earlier in March, WFP also handed over three MSHs that are used in various locations across the country for storage of agricultural products.

Head of Office, WFP Bhutan, Svante Helms said that WFP is pleased to extend this additional support at this critical time to further enhance the nation-wide food storage and prepositioning capacity.  “The fact that these facilities have long-term usefulness to respond to emergencies helps us to reinforce our commitment to strengthen disaster preparedness capacity in the country, which is of paramount importance due to multiple emerging threats and risks,” said Svante Helms.

The Director General of DDM, Jigme Thinlye Namgyal, said that they welcome WFP’s timely intervention and the appropriate logistical and infrastructure support given to them during an important time.

“In light of the current pandemic situation, it has become increasingly necessary to plan against a multitude of risks that natural and man-made disasters can result in. These facilities, therefore, have long-term use for humanitarian and emergency preparedness and response,” he said.