US envoy to Nepal James F Moriarty (File Photo)

US envoy to Nepal James F Moriarty (File Photo)
The American ambassador to Nepal , James F. Moriarty left for a four-day visit to far western regions of Nepal on Tuesday to inspect US-assisted flood relief programs as well as conflict mitigation projects.

“He will visit several projects supported by USAID/Nepal, the foreign and humanitarian assistance arm of the US Mission to Nepal . The Ambassador also will meet district officials, political party representatives, businessmen, army officers, non-governmental organization (NGO) representatives and others during the four-day visit to areas in or near Gulariya, Nepalgunj, Dipayal, Darchula, and Mahendranagar,” a press release issued by the American Center in Kathmandu said.

According to the American Center , the USAID’s Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance has provided 900 and 200 packages of non-food relief to Bardiya and Achham district respectively. “These packs of plastic tarpaulin, blanket, kitchen utensils and other items, and health and hygiene kits, will benefit approximately 7,700 people (or 1,100 households),” the statement reads.

In Nepalgunj, the US envoy will inspect the USAID-supported Conflict Mitigation Program, which is implemented in 13 conflict-affected districts and aids families who have lost a member due to the conflict; communities affected by fear; internally displaced persons; and children victims of conflict. “Some program elements include providing opportunities for sustainable incomes; improving the quality of psychological, medical, legal, and economic support for conflict victims; and working with civil society organizations on small scale infrastructure projects.  Almost 9,000 people have benefited from the program’s psycho-social and legal aid services,” the statement said.

Ambassador Moriarty will also visit HIV/AIDS treatment center in Mahendranagar, jointly funded by USAID and DFID. USAID also funds the local NGO that provides HIV/AIDS patient advocacy at the hospital, and care and support at the local clinic.

Ambassador Moriarty, who is traveling with his wife Lauren, will also visit the Mahendra Regional Campus of Tribhuvan University, where the American Center of the US Embassy recently donated a collection of approximately 2,000 books and furniture to the campus library.