Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The United States has appointed Megan Bouldin as Charge d’Affaires at its embassy in Kathmandu to support Nepal’s rescue, relief and recovery efforts after the devastating flash floods of August 26. Her arrival comes as the death toll from the disaster rose to 1,357 on Tuesday, with authorities recovering more bodies from affected areas.
Rescue teams were continuing the search for 5,326 missing people, including nearly 64 US nationals. The floods were triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, which sent the Bhotekoshi River surging downstream and washed away homes, vehicles, roads and bridges, while also damaging hydropower projects across northern and central Nepal.
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In a statement on Tuesday, the US Embassy in Nepal said Bouldin had arrived in Kathmandu to provide surge support as Charge d’Affaires for the next few months and would work with Deputy Chief of Mission Scott Urbom to lead the embassy’s efforts to support Nepal’s flood response and recovery. “She will work with DCM Urbom to lead the US Embassy efforts in response of Nepal’s flood response and recovery, with a focus on assisting US citizens affected by the flood,” the statement said.
The US government has also pledged USD 500,000 in emergency grant assistance for flood victims in Rasuwa. Bouldin comes to Nepal from the US Embassy in Dhaka, where she has been serving as Deputy Chief of Mission since August 2024. The embassy said she is a career member of the senior foreign service and brings experience in crisis management, diplomacy and leadership, including assignments in Ukraine, Iraq, Bangladesh and Washington’s Operations Centre.
The embassy said the move reflects the United States’ “sustained commitment to working closely with the government of Nepal and partners as relief and recovery efforts continue”. With the toll rising, thousands still missing and large-scale damage reported, Nepal’s rescue and relief operations remain under way.
With PTI Inputs
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
