Kathmandu, December 9:

The United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI) today announced the opening of its regional office in Janakpur, Dhanusha.

USAID/OTI previously had operated a regional office in Itahari, Sunsari. The shift to Janakpur is expected to enable smooth OTI assistance efforts in districts across the Terai, namely Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, Mahottari, and Sarlahi.

According to a press relase issued by the US Embassy , USAID/OTI programs which began in August 2006, are designed to help advance Nepal’s transition to peace and democracy by increasing the access of information to the Nepalis and fostering public debates which are critical to the political transition. These efforts will increase local-level participation in the peace process, the statement said.

“The flooding and breakdown of road hindered our ability to serve communities to the west of the river,” the release added.