2007年VOA标准英语-WFP Launches $49 Million Appeal in Support of N

By Liam Cochrane
Kathmandu
11 July 2007

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Nepalese women carry fodder on a street in Kathmandu, (File Photo)

The U.N.'s World Food Program is appealing for $49 million to help more than a million people affected² by a decade of conflict. The WFP says the money will help support the new peace deal between the government and the former Maoist rebels. Liam Cochrane has more from Kathmandu.

The World Food Program has launched what it says is one of the largest U.N. initiatives to support the people of Nepal during the country's transition to democracy.

Nepal ended a 10-year civil war in November between Maoist rebels and the government. More than 13,000 people died, hundreds of thousands were displaced and living conditions remain poor for more than a million people.

WFP Nepal representative, Richard Ragan, says it will take $49 million to provide immediate³ food assistance and rebuild critical infrastructure⁴.

"The idea behind our new program is that we want to directly focus on 28 districts in the country which have been most impacted by the conflict," said Ragan.

The initiative plans to spend $17 million delivering food by helicopter and by porters to remote areas. But it also aims to help rebuild bridges, roads and schools, create jobs and return the displaced.

Ragan says the Nepalese people need to see the dividends⁵ of peace quickly if it is to last.

"They've gone through one year of time since the people movement," said Ragan. "They've got elections coming up, scheduled in November, so it's important that they start to see tangible⁶ results that are results of their new status as a country moving towards democracy."

The World Food Program is hoping for financial support from donors⁷ such as the United States, Britain and several Scandinavian nations.

1 fodder   

n.草料；炮灰

参考例句：

• Grass mowed and cured for use as fodder.割下来晒干用作饲料的草。
• Guaranteed salt intake, no matter which normal fodder.不管是那一种正常的草料，保证盐的摄取。

2 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 dividends   

红利( dividend的名词复数 )； 股息； 被除数； （足球彩票的）彩金

参考例句：

• Nothing pays richer dividends than magnanimity. 没有什么比宽宏大量更能得到厚报。
• Their decision five years ago to computerise the company is now paying dividends. 五年前他们作出的使公司电脑化的决定现在正产生出效益。

6 tangible   

adj.有形的，可触摸的，确凿的，实际的

参考例句：

• The policy has not yet brought any tangible benefits.这项政策还没有带来任何实质性的好处。
• There is no tangible proof.没有确凿的证据。

7 donors   

n.捐赠者( donor的名词复数 )；献血者；捐血者；器官捐献者

参考例句：

• Please email us to be removed from our active list of blood donors. 假如你想把自己的名字从献血联系人名单中删去，请给我们发电子邮件。
• About half this amount comes from individual donors and bequests. 这笔钱大约有一半来自个人捐赠及遗赠。 来自《简明英汉词典》