National 3 (Spotlight Weekly)

Supporting Development

The USAID’s administrator Andrew Natsios agrees to continue their support to Nepal

By A CORRESPONDENT

At a time when Nepal has been passing through a very difficult time in carrying out the development activities, USAID’s administrator has expressed his commitment to provide continuous support to Nepal.

In the history of modernization of Nepal, the US government has supported Nepal in different fields. From education to rural development, infrastructure buildings to agriculture sector and roads to telecommunication and health to social service, the US support has helped Nepal enter into the modern world.

“USAID has been a steady and reliable development partner to Nepal for over 50 years. We currently provide approximately 40 million dollars per year in development assistance. This assistance includes quick impact programs that provide strategically-targeted economic, governances and humanitarian assistance in areas suffering from the conflict,” said USAID’s administrator Natsios addressing a press conference in Kathmandu on October 8 before he left for Bangladesh concluding his three-day visit here.

During his visit to Nepal, Natsios visited some districts in the terai, Nepal’s southern plain. Thanks to the Malaria eradication program launched by the USAID back in 1960s, Nepal’s malaria prone southern plain has turned into a food basket of Nepal.

According to the USAID, it is still investing 60 percent of its budget on health programs to increase the voluntary use of family planning, improve maternal and child health, reduce transmission of HIV in high-risk groups, monitor infectious disease, and address the psychological needs of children in conflict. Additional funds are being used to increase the production and sale of agricultural and high value forest products, promote sustainable natural resource management, encourage hydropower development, strengthen democratic process and civil society, improve rule of law and combat trafficking of women and children.

“This is first time USAID administrator has visited his mission in Nepal which is one indication how important US president Bush and Secretary of State Powell and the American government takes the situation going on in the country right now,” said Natsios. "I traveled to southern areas of Nepal where the USAID has been working since 1950s. First eliminating Malaria and now our work involves agricultural programs to increase annual family income and works on irrigation and cash crops.”

USAID is spending 60 percent of its grants on strengthening the institutions of the government in the areas of social justice, social services, education and health. Its focus is on child nutrition, reduction of child mortality rate, reduction of the maternal mortality rate, and reduction of the prevalence of HIV/AIDS.

“We look forward to continue productive relationship with Nepal. We stand with Nepal in its continuing struggle against the brutal Maoist insurgency. We pledged our support to strengthen democracy in this Himalayan Kingdom and help the people of Nepal to achieve their aspirations of peace and prosperity,” said Natsios.

In the process of Nepal’s modernization, the USAID has played very important role in building and strengthening the institutions. Most of Nepal’s grass root institutions evolved because of the US support to that sector in 1960s.

When Nepal opened its door to modern world five decades ago, Nepal had virtually no roads, schools, hospitals and/or agriculture institutions. Being one of the first few foreign aid agencies committed for Nepal’s overall development, the USAID’s early support helped Nepal set up the much needed institutions.

After fifty years, Nepal is once again in a major trouble and the support offered by the USAID is going to have much significance. The recent visit by the USAID’s administrator Andrew Natsios and his visit to some parts of Nepal expressed their concern and sympathy to Nepal.