The United States has approved an additional $1 million in assistance to Nepal to support efforts to identify victims of the devastating floods, taking Washington’s total assistance following the disaster to more than $5 million.
The latest funding, approved through the US State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, will provide forensic support to the Nepal Police as authorities work to establish the identities of people who died in the floods.
The assistance includes DNA analysis kits and other forensic resources aimed at helping investigators identify victims and provide families with information about their missing relatives.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the United States expressed its condolences to those affected by the disaster and their families, while reaffirming its support for the people of Nepal.
Washington said the safety of US citizens in the affected areas remained its highest priority and that it was working closely with Nepalese authorities to assess the country’s most urgent forensic needs.
The additional funding comes on top of more than $4 million previously committed by the US for humanitarian, health and other emergency assistance.
Of that earlier package, $3 million is being provided through a US government global assistance award with the World Food Programme. The funding is supporting food distribution and logistics operations and is expected to provide up to three months of emergency food assistance to 10,000 flood-affected households.
It is also being used to overcome supply-chain difficulties by providing air and ground transportation to communities cut off by the floods.
Another $685,000 is being channelled through Catholic Relief Services for food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, protection and financial assistance.
The organisation is distributing food and shelter materials, blankets, plastic sheeting, tents, solar lights and dignity kits, while also operating child-friendly spaces for children affected by the disaster.
An additional $365,000 is supporting health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene interventions through Jhpiego, FHI 360 and UNICEF.
The US said FBI forensic specialists were working alongside the Nepal Police on disaster victim identification, bringing specialised expertise to the ongoing recovery operation.
Beyond financial assistance, the US military has provided 5,000 disaster victim recovery items, 500 first-aid kits, stretchers and front-end loaders to support Nepal-led search, rescue and recovery efforts.
A four-person US Military Civil Affairs Team has also been deployed to Nepal to support humanitarian, disaster and civic assistance projects arising from the crisis.
The United States said its response would continue to evolve according to conditions on the ground, with assistance being adjusted in coordination with local partners and Nepalese authorities.
Washington said it remained prepared to provide further support based on Nepal’s emerging humanitarian and recovery needs.
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