KATHMANDU, Nepal - U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Administrator Alfonso Lenhardt announced an additional $11 million in assistance for Nepal earthquake response and recovery efforts, bringing the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for this disaster to nearly $26 million. Lenhardt made the announcement during a trip to Nepal, where he surveyed the damage caused by the April 25 earthquake, observed the distribution of lifesaving aid, and met with officials from the Government of Nepal involved in the disaster response. The additional funding will help USAID reach more people in Kathmandu and remote regions affected by the magnitude 7.8 earthquake.

The new funding will provide additional emergency shelter materials, medical supplies, safe drinking water, improved sanitation, and hygiene kits to the most critical districts. Additionally, five U.S. military aircraft arrived in Nepal on May 3 to deliver emergency relief supplies-including USAID commodities-to areas made inaccessible by landslides. The U.S. military is supporting the work of USAID's Disaster Assistance Response Team, which deployed to Nepal hours after the earthquake struck to coordinate the U.S. government's disaster response efforts.

Learn more about the U.S. response to the earthquake in Nepal and how you can help.

AFP / Prakash Mathema

"After visiting Kathmandu and a province to the north, I've seen firsthand the destruction caused by this earthquake," said USAID Acting Administrator Lenhardt. "My announcement today brings the total U.S. commitment to nearly $26 million and represents our steadfast commitment to the people of Nepal. We stand with you as you recover from this crisis."