KATHMANDU: The US government today made public the details of a total assistance of USD 160 million (approximately Rs 17.4 billion) provided to Nepal in 2016.

According to the US Embassy in Nepal, the assistance was invested in the improvement of sectors like health, education, environment, agriculture, electricity, road transportation and governance.

Among the fund, USD 27 million (approximately Rs 2.9 billion) was used for disaster response in the country and strengthen Nepal’s participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations globally through the US Department of Defence.

The Department of Defence also provided USD 18 million (approximately Rs 1.9 billion) for fixed-wing aircraft to the Nepal Army for disaster response efforts.

Around USD 41 million (approximately Rs 4.5 billion) was used for the post-earthquake reconstruction works and for proving basic necessities in quake-affected districts.

The Embassy also informed that the funds were exclusive of the grants promised by the US government in International Conference of Reconstruction in 2015 in Nepal.

The funds were largely managed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), the US Departments of Agriculture, the US Departments of State and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) among others.