Key Takeaways:
- United States announces an additional $31 million for Nepal's flood recovery efforts
- Total US assistance for flood response and recovery now exceeds $36 million
- Package includes $10 million for permanent bridges, $8 million for humanitarian recovery support, and $13 million in disaster-response drones
- US officials expressed solidarity with flood victims and families of those still missing
The United States has announced an additional $31 million in assistance to support Nepal's flood recovery efforts, bringing its total assistance for flood response and recovery to more than $36 million.
US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker announced the additional assistance during a meeting with Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal in New York.
According to the US Embassy in Kathmandu, the new package includes $10 million to provide permanent, custom-built bridges aimed at restoring critical transport infrastructure and improving connectivity in flood-affected areas. The bridges will be sourced from a US company.
Another $8 million will be provided for water, sanitation and hygiene, shelter, protection, livelihoods and winterisation support for affected communities.
The US Department of State also plans to provide $13 million worth of US-made drones to support future disaster recovery efforts.
During the meeting, Hooker expressed US sympathies to those affected by the floods, including the families of around 70 Americans who remain unaccounted for.
The United States said it would continue to work closely with the Government of Nepal to identify and provide additional assistance where it is most needed.