Kathmandu: Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker met with Nepal’s Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in New York on September 23. 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.
During the meeting between Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Hooker and foreign Minister Khanal, Under Secretary Hooker announced plans to provide $10 million in funding for permanent, custom-built bridges. These bridges will restore critical transportation infrastructure in affected areas and strengthen regional connectivity.
The Under Secretary also announced plans to provide $8 million in additional assistance for water, sanitation, and hygiene, as well as shelter, protection, livelihoods, and winterization support, to affected communities. The Department also plans to provide $13 million in U.S.-made drones designed 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 $36 million. “The United States will continue to work closely with the Government of Nepal to identify and deliver additional assistance where it is most needed,” the Department of State said in a press statement.
