E/C.12/NPL/CO/3 is also concerned about the fact that the poverty faced by those groups is exacerbated by the lack of their access to, and ownership of, land and related resources, and lack of livelihoods and income-generating activities (art. 11). The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Adopt a human rights-based approach to poverty eradication; (b) Strengthen its efforts to reduce poverty, in particular among the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups, such as Hill and Terai Dalits, as well as women in rural and remote areas and indigenous peoples, including by expanding its programmes under the Poverty Alleviation Fund; (c) Facilitate access to, and ownership of, land for those groups and access to income-generating activities. The Committee refers the State party to its statement on poverty and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, adopted on 4 May 2001 (E/C.12/2001/10). Forced evictions and right to housing 24. The Committee is concerned at the lack of a comprehensive housing policy which could enable poor, disadvantaged and marginalized persons to access housing. It is also concerned at reports of forced evictions, including in the context of development projects, without the free, prior and informed consent of those affected, reasonable notice, and adequate compensation or alternative housing provided to them (art. 11). The Committee recommends that the State party develop a comprehensive housing policy in order to facilitate access to housing for poor, marginalized and disadvantaged persons and families. It also recommends that the State party: (a) Enact legislation to determine the circumstances and safeguards under which evictions can take place and ensure that evictions are only used as a last resort; (b) Ensure that victims of forced evictions are provided with alternative housing or adequate compensation. The Committee refers the State party to its general comment No. 7 (1997) on the right to adequate housing: forced evictions and to the basic principles and guidelines on development-based evictions and displacement (A/HRC/4/18, annex I). Right to food 25. The Committee is concerned about the significant increase in food prices that has made food less and less affordable for disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, and which aggravates malnutrition in the State party. While noting the efforts made through the National Programme for Food Security and Nutrition, the Committee is concerned about the lack of a comprehensive and effective strategy to combat hunger and tackle food insecurity which is prevalent in some districts and among certain groups of population in Nepal (art. 11). The Committee recommends that the State party: (a) Adopt a comprehensive human rights-based strategy with a clear gender dimension to combat hunger and ensure food security for marginalized and disadvantaged individuals and groups; (b) Address the structural causes of poverty, hunger and malnutrition, including through measures in the fields of health and education, land reform and 9