The United States Aid Agency for International Development (USAID) has announced US$ 2 million grant aid for the peace process in Nepal.

According to the US Embassy, the commitment to provide the grant aid follows a six-day visit to Nepal by two senior USAID officials – Michael Hess, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, and Robert Jenkins, Acting Director of the Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI).

US ambassador James F. Moriarty commented on the increased assistance, saying “This new funding underscores the commitment of the U.S. Government and people to support the peace process during this historic transition period.”

The Embassy said the new funding would support additional activities, such as dialogues and trainings, to assist the peace process in Nepal, including by helping address the increased tension in the Terai.

The new funding is in addition to $6.25 million already committed to help Nepal by USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives, and is part of OTI’s total programme of up to $15 million over two years to help the peace process. USAID’s current budget for Nepal in 2007 is projected at $40 million.

Meanwhile, an eight-member team of USAID representatives has visited drought-impacted communities in Humla and Jumla districts.

The US government has contributed approximately US$2 million of in-kind food to WFP for the first phase of the emergency operation. Another US$250,000 was provided for transportation of food to the most remote, drought-affected communities in Mid- and Far-Western Nepal.

The USAID team lead by Assistant Administrator for USAID Michael Hess, observed WFP food aid distributions to people in Humla and Jumla. The team also viewed community works projects such as foot bridges, mule trails and a rehabilitated school built as a part of WFP’s emergency intervention.

“This was a tremendous opportunity to visit with the beneficiaries, and to better understand the impact that the United State’s contributions to WFP’s emergency operation have had on the people here,” a press statement quoted Hess as saying.

WFP food aid distributions in Jumla and Humla are a part of the second-phase of a US$13.6 million effort to reach over 375,000 people in mid-and far-western Nepal who have been suffering from years of drought and poor crop harvests.