WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator Mark Kirk introduced the Nepal Recovery Act, legislation to support Nepal after two massive earthquakes that killed more than 8,700 people struck in late April and again in early May.

“The United States has a long and proud history of helping nations in need that are striving to recover from horrifying tragedies caused by natural disasters,” said Senator Cardin. “Our words of sympathy must be backed up by concrete actions, and this legislation will help accelerate the recovery for Nepal as it clears the rubble and rebuilds anew.”

“This bipartisan legislation empowers the Nepalese people to rebuild their homeland, and Senator Cardin and I stand with the people of Nepal in their efforts to recover from this tragedy. The leading role of the United States in responding to humanitarian crises compels us to act, and this legislation will ensure that the United States’ commitment to the growth and prosperity of a democratic and free Nepal is not forgotten,” said Senator Kirk.

The legislation authorizes funding over three years to help Nepal rebuild vital infrastructure, including schools and health clinics, and restart the battered economy so the Nepalese people can continue to move their country toward prosperity.   The bill also calls for debt relief and includes flexibility for the Administration to encourage greater donor transparency in the reconstruction effort and tap the private sector to support rebuilding.  

In addition to the over 8,700 people who were killed by these earthquakes, over 770,000 homes, 47,000 classrooms, and 1,000 health facilities were damaged or destroyed in Kathmandu and the surrounding area during the devastating earthquakes in April and May of this year. 

The Nepal Recovery Act can be found here.

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