Since the April 25 earthquake, the U.S. Government has provided more than $27 million for humanitarian relief activities in Nepal. The funding is supporting the delivery of shelter materials, critical medical supplies, safe drinking water, improved sanitation services, and hygiene kits to people hardest hit by the earthquake.

According to a press release issued by U.S. Embassy, all U.S. assistance efforts for the Nepalese people are coordinated closely with the Government of Nepal and support Nepal’s request for humanitarian assistance.

USAID’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is leading U.S. relief efforts. The DART includes approximately 20 humanitarian staff and more than 100 Urban Search-and-Rescue personnel from Fairfax County, Virginia, and Los Angeles County, California.

USAID has delivered heavy-duty plastic sheeting to provide shelter for thousands of families whose homes were damaged or destroyed in the earthquake. In coordination with USAID partners, the plastic sheeting have been airlifted and trucked to Gorkha, Sindhupalchowk, and Kathmandu districts.

The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) is assisting relief efforts and supporting the DART through Joint Task Force-505 (JTF-505). Prior to the initiation of JTF-505, a Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (HAST) of approximately 20 individuals, including a USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Civil

Military Affairs Coordinator, deployed to Nepal in support of the DART. The Joint HAST is led by Marine Brigadier General Paul Kennedy, Commander of 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.

DOD has provided two UH-1Y Huey helicopters and four tilt-rotor MV-22 Ospreys, as well as a contingent of U.S. Military personnel to assist with relief operations. In coordination with the DART and the UN Logistics Cluster, U.S. Military air assets continue to transport relief supplies to affected areas of Nepal.

Among these supplies, over 6000 kilograms of food items, water and clothes, and 1200 kilograms of shelter material, were delivered by MV-22 Osprey to the hard-hit Ramechhap District.

Two additional UH-1Y Huey helicopters and approximately 50 Air Force personnel are expected to arrive in the coming days as part of a Contingency Response Group (CRG) from the U.S. Air Force. The CRG are able to provide quick reaction logistical support for humanitarian missions. Unit members represent a broad spectrum of specialties, including airfield security, ramp and cargo operations, aircraft maintenance, and command and control.

For nearly two decades, USAID has supported disaster risk reduction activities in Nepal, including throughout the Kathmandu Valley.