This week, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) signed awards for five new development programs, totaling $121 million.

According a press release issued by Public Affairs Section Embassy of The United States, Suaahara II, awarded to Hellen Keller International. Building on improvements in maternal and child nutrition achieved by the Suaahara project, this five-year, $63 million program will continue to improve nutrition in 40 districts through education, water, sanitation, and hygiene improvements, access to health services, and backyard poultry and vegetable farming.

 Feed the Future Seed and Fertilizer Project, awarded to the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.  This five-year, $15 million project will work in 25 districts, partnering with the government and private companies to help farmers get access to better seeds and fertilizers that will allow them to produce more high-quality crops and increase their incomes.

 Sustainable, Just and Productive Water Resources Development in Western Nepal is awarded to the International Water Management Institute. This three-year, $2.5 million project will support communities in the Karnali and Mahakali river basins to manage rivers and lakes in sustainable ways that benefit the entire community.

Civil Society: Mutual Accountability Project, awarded to FHI360. This five-year, $15 million project will strengthen civil society organizations’ ability to advocate for government effectiveness and accountability.

 Program for Aquatic Natural Resources Improvement (PANI), awarded to DAI Global. Under Government of Nepal leadership, this five-year, $25 million project will help communities benefit economically from rivers and lakes and conserve local fish and other wildlife.

 “These new projects address both the continuing needs of the Nepali people post-earthquake, and at the same time build sustainable communities that support Nepal’s long-term development goals,” said Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz.

 USAID operates in Nepal through a five-year (2014-2019), $447 million assistance agreement with the Ministry of Finance.  These newly-awarded programs are part of that total and support Government of Nepal development priorities outlined in the agreement.