The United States will provide Nepal with more than $150 million worth of American-made helicopters, drones and riverboats to strengthen the country’s disaster preparedness and response capabilities, the US Embassy in Kathmandu said.
According to a statement issued by the embassy, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Megan Bouldin met with Nepali Army Chief of the Army Staff General Ashok Raj Sigdel on Thursday to discuss the strong US-Nepal partnership and ongoing American assistance to help Nepal recover from the devastating floods in August.
During the meeting, Bouldin expressed her deepest condolences to those who lost their lives in the disaster and extended her sympathies to the families of missing Nepali Army personnel.
She also highlighted US assistance aimed at enhancing Nepal’s capacity to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. The planned delivery of helicopters, drones and riverboats will provide additional resources for search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and emergency response.
The deliveries are scheduled to begin next year, according to the embassy.
The new assistance will build on the $38 million worth of M28 Skytruck aircraft donated by the United States last fall, which have supported relief operations in Nepal.
The embassy said American technology, equipment and expertise are helping Nepal strengthen its disaster-response capabilities, save lives and support communities affected by crises.
The assistance underscores the continued cooperation between the United States and Nepal in disaster preparedness, humanitarian response and emergency management.
