‘Pitiful’: experts condemn initial US aid contribution for Nepal flood victims
Sum of $500,000 has been increased as death toll passes 1,000 but specialists decry Trump dismantling of USAID Aid experts have denounced the US’s “embarrassing” and “pitiful” initial response to the Nepal flood disaster after the US state department announced it was releasing $500,000 in emergency funds to help the relief effort. The modest sum – which has since been increased – allocated in…
Aid experts have harshly criticized the United States' initial $500,000 contribution to Nepal's flood relief efforts, describing it as "embarrassing" and "pitiful." The modest sum, which has since been increased to $3.6 million, was allocated to provide food assistance to 10,000 affected households for up to three months and cover emergency items such as blankets, mosquito nets, and shelter sheets.
However, seasoned humanitarian aid specialists argue that even this amount is insufficient and claim the US response has been significantly diminished due to the dismantling of USAID, the country's primary foreign assistance organization, under the Trump administration. The organization's functions were transferred to the State Department, which maintains that the US continues to support Nepal's early warning system through grants.
Nevertheless, foreign aid specialists emphasize the stark contrast between the initial $500,000 donation and the funding provided before USAID was dissolved. Mark Ward, a former head of USAID's disaster response team, referred to the announcement as "embarrassing for the United States and a bit of a slap at Nepal."
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