Two senior USAID officials arrived in Kathmandu on Sunday for a six-day visit to Nepal. They are Mike Hess, Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, and Robert Jenkins, Acting Director of USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI).

“The officials will evaluate opportunities for the United States to further support the ongoing peace process and review how USAID programs are assisting Nepal’s political transition, food security, and disaster preparedness. They will meet with political leaders, civil society representatives, and beneficiaries of USAID programs in Kathmandu and in the far western districts,” says a press release issued by the US Embassy.

“The U.S. Government, through USAID, extends assistance from the American people to peoples of other countries struggling to build better lives. This support ranges from helping to recover from a natural disaster to working to create a free and democratic nation. For 55 years, USAID/Nepal has provided assistance to the people of Nepal in the areas of conflict mitigation and peace building, democracy and governance, health and family planning, economic growth, and disaster and humanitarian aid,” the release adds.

The visit of top USAID officials coincides with the inclusion of the Maoists in the interim government.