The United States has provided $320,000 (Rs34 million) aid for the reconstruction of Patan and Hanumandhoka Durbar Squares which were badly damaged by the Great Earthquake.

American ambassador to Nepal Peter W Bodde handed over the amount to Kathmandu Valley Preservation Trust on Friday and hoped that the amount will help in structural analysis, conservation and renovation of damaged monuments.

The money was received from the US Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation which has provided similar support to more than 120 countries in the world. Since 2003, AFCP has donated more than $2.2 million to Nepal and completed 15 projects. Programme director for AFCP Martin Pezlar praised Nepal for according high priority for the reconstruction of cultural heritage site and pledged continuous support.

Director of KVPT Rohit Ranjitkar said that the amount will be used for the reconstruction of monuments like Bahadur Shah’s palace and Taleju Mandir in Patan Durbar Square and temples around Kal Bhairav statue in Hanumandhoka. “We have targeted to complete reconstruction in two years,” he said.