Habitat cancels Nepal trip with Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter had been looking forward to build homes for the needy in Nepal. Even when he announced he had cancer in his brain, the former president said he would do all he could to make the annual trip with Habitat for Humanity International. Doctors cleared him to go, but on Thursday, Habitat canceled the project, citing safety concerns.

"While I am disappointed that we are unable to build in Nepal due to such uncertain circumstances, Rosalynn and I understand and support Habitat's decision," Carter said in a statement. "We will keep the people of Nepal in our prayers and ask everyone to do the same."

The U.S. State Department also issued a travel advisory Thursday recommending travelers evaluate plans in Nepal.

"Due to the nationwide fuel shortage, due to blockages at the border with India, many of the safety measures that would normally be relied on in an emergency situation may become unavailable," the advisory said. "These measures include air medevacs and local hospitals."

Habitat's cancellation marks the first in three decades of work projects for the Christian charity in which volunteers, led by Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, build low-cost permanent homes for people lacking decent housing. The Carters have given a week of their time every year.

"I am saddened that we have had to cancel this year's Carter Work Project," said Jonathan Reckford, Habitat's CEO. He said the severity of shortages was insurmountable and Habitat felt the project would take away from precious local resources that might be needed elsewhere.

The project was to have taken place November 1 to 6 in Chitwan, a district that lies about 160 kilometers (100 miles) from Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.