A severe fuel shortage has crippled Nepal, causing added hardship for millions of people already trying to recover from a devastating earthquake. But unrest along the border has blocked imports from India, including medicines, food, and fuel. The lack of fuel has impeded efforts to bring relief supplies to remote areas and cut off transportation to healthcare facilities.
In December 2015 nine international aid agencies, including several United Nations bodies and major donors, issued a joint statement warning: "The health and humanitarian implications of the present scenario are grave."
The border blockade has caused commodity prices to rise dramatically. The black market price for petrol is about 230 rupees (US$ 2) per litre, which is 130 percent more than the official price fixed by the government.
Source: IRIN, 20 January 2016 |