KATHMANDU: The United States has announced an additional $31 million in assistance to Nepal to support ongoing relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts following the August 26 Bhote Koshi floods.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker announced the assistance during a meeting with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in New York on Tuesday.
According to the US Embassy in Nepal, $10 million of the assistance will be allocated for permanent, specially designed bridges to be supplied by US companies. The bridges are expected to restore critical transportation infrastructure in the flood-affected areas and improve regional connectivity.
Hooker also announced an additional $8 million for water, sanitation and hygiene services, as well as shelter, security, livelihoods and winterization assistance for families affected by the floods.
The US Embassy in Nepal will provide another $13 million worth of US-made drones to strengthen Nepal’s capacity to respond to and recover from future disasters, the embassy said.
With the latest commitment, total US assistance for Nepal’s flood response and recovery efforts has surpassed $36 million. The US government said it will continue working closely with the Government of Nepal and provide additional assistance as needed.
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