US to Provide Nepal with Over $150 Million in Disaster Response Equipment

KATHMANDU: 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 emergency response capabilities, the US Embassy in Kathmandu has said.

Deliveries are scheduled to begin next year, according to the embassy. The equipment is expected to support search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and emergency response during disasters.

US Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Megan Bouldin met with Nepali Army Chief General Ashok Raj Sigdel on Thursday to discuss the Nepal-US partnership and ongoing American assistance to help Nepal recover from the devastating floods in August.

During the meeting, Bouldin expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in the disaster and extended sympathies to the families of Nepali Army personnel who remain missing, the embassy said.

The planned equipment delivery will add to the US donation of M28 Skytruck aircraft worth $38 million last year. The aircraft have been used to support relief operations in Nepal, according to the embassy.

The United States said its technology, equipment and expertise are helping Nepal strengthen its capacity to respond to disasters and save lives during emergencies.