The US Agency for International Development has awarded financial assistance totalling $121 million to various NGOs for five new development programmes.

‘Suaahara II’, a five-year $63 million programme, was awarded to Helen Keller International. The scheme aims to improve nutrition in 40 districts with focus on education, water, sanitation, and hygiene, access to health services, and backyard poultry and vegetable farming.

Another programme ‘Feed the Future Seed and Fertiliser Project’ was handed to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre. This is a five-year $15 million project that will partner with the government and private companies to help farmers get access to better seeds and fertilisers for high-quality productivity in 25 districts.

The International Water Management Institute has got the $2.5 million ‘Sustainable, Just and Productive Water Resources Development in Western Nepal’. This three-year project aims to support sustainable management of rivers and lakes in Karnali and Mahakali river basins.

The ‘Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project’ has been awarded to FHI360. This five-year $15 million project will strengthen civil society organisations’ ability to advocate government effectiveness and accountability.

The ‘Program for Aquatic Natural Resources Improvement’ was awarded to DAI Global. The five-year $25 million project will help communities benefit from rivers and lakes and conserve fish and other wildlife.

“These projects address both the continuing needs of the Nepali people post-earthquake, and build sustainable communities that support Nepal’s long-term development goals,” said US Ambassador Alaina B Teplitz.