USAID gives over $65 mn to Nepal for development projects

KATHMANDU: The US has provided over USD 65 million to the government of Nepal for food, climate change and health services as part of efforts to achieve the objectives of President Barack Obama's global initiatives in these fields.

The assistance was provided through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) under its ongoing five-year assistance agreement with Nepal government.

The funds will be used to implement activities that will help achieve the objectives of President Obama's three global initiatives -- Feed the Future, Global Climate Change and the Global Health Initiative, according to a US embassy release.

Various other ongoing programmes under the Assistance Agreement signed in 2009 contribute to the peace process to strengthen democratic institutions and processes; improving governance and rule of law; providing training and education for youth employment; supporting early childhood education; combating trafficking in persons; providing quality basic health services and promoting inclusive economic growth.

Lal Shanker Ghimire, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Finance of Nepal, and David C Atteberry, Mission Director of USAID here, inked the agreement on behalf of the two governments.