US offers aid for conflict victims

The United States, through USAID’s Office of Food for Peace and the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has provided $6.8 million dollars to the UN World Food Programme’s (WFP) operation to support the peace process and to provide food aid and livelihood support to conflict-affected people in Nepal.

A joint US-WFP release quoted US Ambassador Nancy J. Powell as saying, “This $6.8 million dollars of assistance to the people of Nepal demonstrates the United States of America’s continued support for a more peaceful and prosperous Nepal.”

Stating that despite efforts made since the end of the conflict last year, many people have yet to receive any tangible benefits from the peace process and still lack access to basic services and critical infrastructure, and opportunities to rebuild their lives, WFP Country Representative in Nepal, Richard Ragan, said the US aid will enable them to reach-out and provide a safety net to these vulnerable populations during this uncertain time in Nepal’s peace process.

WFP’s peace and recovery activities will be implemented in 28 of the most food-insecure, conflict-affected districts in Nepal. Programme activities include rehabilitation and construction of critical infrastructure, return and rehabilitation packages, and civic education training. nepalnews.com dr Oct 16 07