The U.S. Embassy in Nepal and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an agreement yesterday to rebuild 15 earthquake-damaged schools in 11 most affected districts, benefiting 4,500 students.

The Asian Development Bank will use the $10 million U.S. contribution to rebuild the schools through its Earthquake Emergency Assistance Project.  The project uses approved architectural and engineering designs for permanent, earthquake-resilient buildings. The schools will also be equipped with classroom furniture, separate girls’ and boys’ water and sanitation facilities, access accommodation for children with disabilities, and recreational facilities.

“This contribution reaffirms the U.S. Government’s commitment to stand with the people of Nepal to rebuild a safer, more prosperous country for the next generation,” said USAID Nepal’s Acting Mission Director Amy Tohill-Stull.

The 2015 earthquakes damaged or destroyed more than 8,200 public and private schools, interrupting the education of approximately 2 million children.  The U.S. Government has provided over $170 million in relief and reconstruction support to Nepal since the 2015 earthquakes, including over $5 million immediately following the earthquakes to build more than 1,000 temporary learning centers, allowing nearly 270,000 children to return to school.