News from Nepal

KATHMANDU, April 6 - USAID will provide an additional $2 million to support Nepal’s peace process, stated a press release issued by the Embassy of the United States in Kathmandu on Friday.

"This commitment of new funding follows a six-day visit to Nepal by two senior USAID officials -- Michael Hess, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, and Robert Jenkins, Acting Director of the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI)," stated the press release.

The USAID officisals had visited USAID-funded projects and consulted with U.S. Mission officials, donor partners, and others.

US ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty welcomed the increased assistance and he was quoted as saying, “This new funding underscores the commitment of the U.S. Government and people to support the peace process during this historic transition period. USAID plays a central role in our efforts to help Nepal.”

USAID/Nepal is the humanitarian and development assistance arm of the U.S. Mission to Nepal.

According to the release, the new funding will support additional activities, such as dialogues and trainings, to assist the peace process in Nepal, including by helping address the increased tension in the Terai.

The new funding is in addition to $6.25 million already committed to help Nepal by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, and is part of OTI’s total programme of up to $15 million over two years to help the peace process.

USAID’s current budget for Nepal in 2007 is projected at $40 million.