The United States has announced a new aid package of $2 million for Nepal to help the Himalayan nation strengthen its democracy and economic growth. The announcement was made during the ‘Democracy Delivers’ event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Wednesday, where Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal joined other leaders from countries experiencing democratic openings.
The event, titled “Democracy Delivers”, was hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) on Wednesday and featured remarks from Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID Administrator Samantha Power, as well as Nepal’s Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and leaders from the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation.
The event highlighted the achievements and challenges of countries that have embarked on democratic transitions and reforms, such as Nepal, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tunisia, and showcased USAID’s Democracy Delivers Initiative, which aims to provide flexible and responsive assistance to these countries.
As part of the initiative, USAID announced that Nepal will receive $2 million to support stabilization of the economy, promote job and wage growth, mobilize investment, and deliver democratic dividends. This is in addition to the $6.9 million that USAID/Nepal recently received to deepen its partnership with Nepal’s democratic reformers and support their efforts to advance fundamental reforms through USAID’s Partnerships for Democratic Development.
“The additional resources will be invested to align with Nepal’s ongoing effort to strengthen local governance and improve delivery of public services to its citizens,” said Karen Welch, Acting Mission Director of USAID/Nepal.
The Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation also announced their intention to invest in Nepal and other countries supported by the Democracy Delivers Initiative, pledging to leverage their expertise, networks, and resources to complement USAID’s efforts.
“Nepal has made remarkable progress in its democratic transition since the end of the civil war in 2006, but it still faces many challenges, such as political instability, social inequality, corruption, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are proud to partner with USAID and other philanthropic organizations to support Nepal’s aspirations for a more inclusive, accountable, and prosperous democracy,” said Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation.
The event also featured a panel discussion with civil society representatives from Nepal, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Tunisia, who shared their perspectives on the opportunities and obstacles for democratic development in their respective contexts.
The participants agreed that democracy is not a one-size-fits-all model, but a process that requires constant dialogue, adaptation, and innovation. They also emphasized the importance of engaging diverse and marginalized groups, such as women, youth, ethnic minorities, and people with disabilities, in shaping the future of their countries.
The event concluded with a call for action from Secretary Blinken and Administrator Power, who urged the international community to stand with the people of Nepal and other countries striving for democracy and human rights.
“Democracy is not a gift from above. It is a choice made by people who believe in their own power and potential. And it is our responsibility as partners and friends to support them in their journey,” said Administrator Power.
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