USAID announces assistance of $58.5m to Nepal

KATHMANDU: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has enhanced its support to advance democratic progress in Nepal. USAID Administrator Samantha Power who is on a two-day official visit to Nepal announced to provide USAID assistance of up to $ 58.5 million to advance Nepal's democratic progress, subject to the availability of funds. The announcement was made amid the presence of leaders of the Nepal government, civil society and private sector on Tuesday. According to the US Embassy in Kathmandu, the amount of $ 20.2 million was part of $659 million development objective agreement announced in 2022. Following a transparent and peaceful election this year, Nepal has an opportunity to strengthen federalism, advance the inclusion of women and marginalised communities, empower youths and demonstrate that democracy can deliver for its people. The US will collaborate with Nepal in the areas, the Embassy said. The USAID investment will further help strengthen public financial management, independent civil society and media, democratic processes and institutions, rule of law and private sector, thereby consolidating its democratic achievements and inviting further wider prosperity and resilience. USAID will also continue its assistance to Nepal in its bid to fight against human trafficking. In order to deliver service in a more accountable and transparent manner from economic perspectives, the investment announced on Tuesday includes up to $20 million to support provincial and local governments towards strengthening inclusive democracy and prosperity. Likewise, assistance up to $18.5 million is included in the package to support the independent CSOs led by and for women, youth and people from marginalised communities to advance community needs, fundamental freedoms and accountability. USAID will work with the CSOs to develop their skills, credibility and techniques required to engage effectively with the government and the general public. The international development agency has said that it will also collaborate with media to support efforts to improve public access to credible information and diverse narratives. That will enhance social trust in media. The USAID has also shared that it will work to strengthen rule of law and legal regime to fight against human trafficking as well as to further enable free and fair elections. These new initiatives build on more than 60 years of USAID partnership with the Nepal government and the people, private sector and others to support the goals and aspirations of Nepal. It is shared that the USAID is ready to work in collaboration with the concerned Nepal government agencies by aligning the aid with the government priorities, including recently-released common minimum programmes. The USAID Administrator arrived in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Earlier, she met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal, Bimala Rai Poudyal at the latter’s office and discussed diverse matters related to the Nepal-US mutual interests. Agendas including execution of the US assistance Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), climate change and assistance to be provided to Nepal after graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) status were discussed in the meeting. The USAID Administrator was also scheduled to observe the partnership of USAID with local communities to support a democratic and prosperous Nepal. By RSS READ ALSO:

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