Kathmandu (PTI): The United Nations' World Food Program has announced food packages for 50,000 flood victims who were displaced by flood in river Koshi in the eastern Terai region of Nepal.

The UN food agency's announcement came in response to the Nepal government's request for assistance after the Koshi floods inundated eight village development committees in Sunsari district leaving thousands homeless.

WFP, in its statement, has said that it will provide a 15-day food baskets containing rice, pulses, salt and vegetable oil to the flood victims initially.

According to the statement, WFP needs additional USD 1.5 to 3 million to meet longer-term food needs, livelihood support and rehabilitation for the flood victims.

Earlier, the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) had committed USD 1.5 million for the flood victims.

Apart from bearing the food assistance cost for 30 days, the contribution will cover the costs of some post-flood activities for the rehabilitation of affected people.