The blockade has also prevented the delivery of earthquake relief supplies. Ethnic groups from the southern plains, reportedly backed by some Indians, have been stopping supply trucks entering Nepal since September. They are protesting against a new constitution which they say discriminates against them. Nepal produces around 40% of its medicines internally and imports 60% from India. Because of the blockade, Nepal is neither receiving enough new medicine from Indian nor able to produce its own supplies as raw materials have also been prevented from entering the country. The Himalayan nation is already grappling with the aftermath of two earthquakes earlier this year that killed almost 9,000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.
