Kathmandu, February 10
The US government has proposed to Parliament that Nepal be provided Rs. 6.9 billion as part of its aid to reconstruct structures damaged by the devastating earthquake.
According to reports, in his annual budget sent to the Congress for the 2016-2017 fiscal year beginning October 1, 2016, Secretary of State John Kerry proposed a Rs. 434 crore (USD 64 million) for Nepal in economic support fund (ESF) as against just actual Rs. 98 crore ($ 14.5 million) in 2015.
“US assistance will be used to foster economic growth, and support reconstruction of houses, schools, and livelihoods in Nepal following the devastating April 2015 earthquake,” the State Department said in its budgetary proposals. In addition, the State Department has proposed over Rs 4.2 billion ($39.7 million) for Nepal for the USIAD’s global health programs.
During the international donors’ conference held in Kathmandu on June 25 last year, the US government pledged Rs 13 billion to support reconstruction efforts in Nepal.
