The U.S. Mission in Nepal, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide a total of $402 Million over the next five years to Nepal.  In a brief ceremony at the Ministry of Finance today, Mr. Madhu K. Marasini, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, and Dr. Beth Dunford, Mission Director of USAID/Nepal, signed an assistance agreement on behalf of the two governments.

The funds will be used over the next five years to reinforce recent gains in democratic processes (such as elections), improving governance, expanding proven health interventions in maternal and child health, improving literacy, increasing economic growth, and addressing the challenges of food insecurity and climate change.

“On behalf of the Government of Nepal, I would like to express my appreciation to the people and the Government of the United States of America for this assistance and also for their continued interest and support in the socio-economic development of Nepal,” said Mr. Marasini.

“This Agreement reflects the American people’s continued commitment to development priorities in Nepal.  As a focus country for all three U.S. Presidential Initiatives – Global Climate Change, Global Health Initiative, and Feed the Future – USAID, working together with the Government of Nepal, seeks to build on the efforts and successes of the past and create a Nepal where the most vulnerable are lifting themselves out of extreme poverty and contributing to stable, resilient democratic societies,” noted Dr. Dunford.

Across all sectors, USAID focuses on key cross-cutting issues, such as gender equality and empowerment and disaster risk reduction, as well as on supporting the Government of Nepal’s leadership on increasing accountability and ability to deliver services to traditionally marginalized groups.