US Ambassador to Nepal Alaina B Teplitz and National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) Chief Executive Officer Yuba Raj Bhusal broke the ground for reconstruction of Kanya Mandir Secondary School, the first all-girls’ school in Kathmandu.

Speaking at the event Ambassador Teplitz said, “The US Government continues to prioritise getting children back into school. As part of this commitment, we are partnering with the NRA to construct seismically safe, well- equipped, and child- and disabled-friendly schools and health facilities, from which disadvantaged communities can benefit most. This reflects the longstanding and continued support of the American people to help rebuild a safer Nepal.”

The US government, through the United States Agency for International Development, collaborates with the NRA; the Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology; and the Ministry of Health and Population to rebuild 36 permanent schools and health facilities in earthquake impacted districts.The event marked the start of reconstruction of three secondary schools in Kathmandu. The other schools are Shree Bhagawati in Sankhu and Adarsha in Sanothimi, the embassy said in a statement.

Since the 2015 earthquakes, the US government has invested more than $190 million in earthquake response and recovery, according to the statement.Part of these funds have helped homeowners to rebuild over 16,000 homes using modern standards and trained more than 15,000 engineers, architects, contractors, masons, and carpenters on earthquake-resistant techniques. The US support helped to establish 1,045 temporary learning centres and 58 transitional facilities with school supplies.

Teplitz

 Bhusal