The Peace Corps is returning to Nepal after a seven year absence from the country. Support from the Government of Nepal has been instrumental in bringing the Peace Corps back.  Two events in Kathmandu today marked the occasion. The first event was hosted by Prime Minister Bhattarai at his office in Singha Durbar.

Speaking at the event, Prime Minister Bhattarai remarked, "I am very pleased with the return of the Peace Corps to Nepal. From the early 60s, thousands of volunteers have served in districts all across this country. I remember in much of the 60s and 70s, the volunteers were a big source of teachers for subjects like math and science. I am very glad that with USAID's assistance, the volunteers are coming back one more time to help with agriculture and health. Those are areas that need help, and I welcome the decision to redeploy the Peace Corps."

Ambassador DeLisi then hosted a program for friends of the Peace Corps at his residence.

“The return of the Peace Corps to Nepal is symbolic of the deep, long-standing relationship between our two countries, which began in 1951 when the U.S. Government first entered into a development partnership with Nepal,” said U.S. Ambassador Scott H. DeLisi. "I remain an optimist about the nation's future and I think that Peace Corps' return sends a powerful message that the U.S. Government and the Peace Corp's leadership share the conviction that Nepal is on the right path."

The first group of approximately 20 Peace Corps volunteers is scheduled to arrive in Nepal later this year. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s collaboration with Peace Corps will build on the strengths and strategies of the U.S. Government’s Feed the Future and Global Health Initiatives partnership with Nepal to reach and impact many more vulnerable Nepalese across the country.  The volunteers will be trained as Agriculture and Nutrition Extensionists and will work with rural communities to improve food security and health of the Nepalese people in the context of the two Presidential Initiatives in Nepal.

The photos from the two events can be found at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/usembassykathmandu/sets/72157628910040525/

And here are Ambassador DeLisi’s speeches:

http://nepal.usembassy.gov/sp-01-17a-2012.html

http://nepal.usembassy.gov/sp-01-17-2012.html