Nepal—an extremely mountainous country with a population of nearly 40 million people—is located atop a major fault line and is at risk to a variety of frequently occurring natural disasters, including avalanches, earthquakes, drought, floods, landslides, and wildfires. Approximately 80 percent of the country’s population inhabits the remote, rural areas most vulnerable to these hazards. Limited livelihood opportunities compounded by climate change, high food prices, structural underdevelopment, and widespread poverty amplify households’ vulnerability to natural disasters. Additionally, approximately 4.3 million people in Nepal do not consume an adequate diet and an estimated 45 percent of Nepali children ages 6-23 months do not meet the recommended minimum standards for dietary diversity and nutrient intake in 2023, according to the UN World Food Program (WFP).
For nearly two decades, USAID has supported the Government of Nepal and humanitarian partners to strengthen natural hazard preparedness, mitigate disaster risks, and respond to humanitarian emergencies in Nepal. USAID funds humanitarian partners to build resilience and enhance disaster preparedness at the national, provincial, and local levels through activities focused on agriculture and food security, economic recovery and market systems, and risk management policy and practice. When disasters strike Nepal, USAID stands ready to lead the U.S. Government humanitarian response and work with nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, and the UN to meet humanitarian needs and complement national relief efforts.
