US to Provide Additional US $31 Million additional aid of US to Support Nepal’s flood recovery efforts
On the sideline meeting at the 81st UN General Assembly in New York Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal held a bilateral talk with US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker today in New York.
Minister Khanal is in New York attending 81st General Debate session of the United Nations that began on Tuesday September 22 and will come to close the address by the world leaders on September 28. However, the general debated session will be continued with the participation of representatives of the various countries.
According to the New York based Nepal’s Permanent Representative to the UN Office, both the Nepal and US discussed wide ranges of bilateral issues including recovery and reconstruction to be carried out after damage by the recent Bhotekoshi floods.
Under Secretary Hooker extended the United States’ heartfelt sympathies to all of those affected by the devastating floods in Nepal, including the families of the approximately 70 Americans who remain unaccounted for, said the US State Department press release.
During their meeting, Under Secretary Hooker announced plans to work with Congress to provide US $10 million in funding for permanent, custom-built bridges, which we are proudly sourcing from a U.S. company. These bridges will restore critical transportation infrastructure in affected areas and strengthen regional connectivity.
The Under Secretary also announced plans to provide US $8 million in additional assistance for water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as shelter, protection, livelihoods, and winterization support, to affected communities, it reads.
The Department also plans to provide US $13 million in U.S.-made drones to better support future disaster recovery efforts.
This funding announcement brings the United States’ total assistance to Nepal’s flood response and recovery efforts to more than US $36 million, the release noted.
The United States will continue to work closely with the Government of Nepal to identify and deliver additional assistance where it is most needed, it added.
During the meeting various officials including Nepal’s Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Amrit Bahadur Rai, Nepal’s Permanent Representatives to the UN Lok Bahadur Thapa Chhetri were presented.
