By Kazeem Ugbodaga
The United States has approved an additional $1 million to support Nepal’s efforts to identify victims of devastating floods, bringing total US assistance following the disaster to more than $5 million.
The latest funding, approved by the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, will provide forensic support to the Nepal Police, including DNA analysis kits, as authorities work to identify victims and provide answers to their families.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the US expressed its deepest sympathy to those affected by the flooding and their families, while reaffirming its friendship with the Nepali people.
The US said the safety of its citizens in the affected areas remained its “highest priority”, adding that it was working closely with Nepalese authorities to determine the most urgent forensic needs.
The additional funding comes on top of more than $4 million already committed by the United States for humanitarian, health and related assistance following the floods.
Of the earlier assistance, $3 million was being provided through the US government’s global assistance award with the World Food Programme for food and logistics support.
According to the statement, the funding would provide up to three months of emergency food assistance to 10,000 flood-affected households, while also helping overcome major supply-chain difficulties by using air and ground transportation to reach communities cut off from access.
A further $685,000 is being provided through Catholic Relief Services for food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and financial assistance.
The organisation is supplying affected communities with essential food and shelter materials, blankets, plastic sheeting, tents, solar lights and dignity kits, while operating child-friendly spaces to provide support for children affected by the disaster.
Another $365,000 is supporting health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions through Jhpiego, FHI 360 and UNICEF.
The United States also said FBI forensic specialists were working alongside the Nepal Police to assist with disaster victim identification and provide specialised humanitarian expertise.
The forensic effort is aimed not only at helping Nepalese authorities establish the identities of victims, but also at providing answers to families of American citizens and others affected by the tragedy.
Beyond financial assistance, the US military has delivered 5,000 specialised disaster victim recovery supplies, 500 first-aid kits, stretchers and front-end loaders to support Nepal-led search, rescue and recovery operations.
A four-person US Military Civil Affairs Team is also on the ground to undertake humanitarian, disaster and civic assistance projects intended to address post-crisis needs.
The United States described the response as a rapidly evolving operation and said it was working closely with local partners to adjust its assistance as conditions changed.
It added that Washington was prepared to work with the Nepalese Government to provide further assistance based directly on the country’s needs.
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