WASHINGTON, Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The United States is providing $21 million to Nepal to fight a Maoist insurgency, U.S. State Department officials said Monday.
Adam Ereli, the state department's deputy spokesman told a briefing in Washington that the U.S. administration is working with other governments to help reestablish security in Nepal and to address the root causes of the insurgency.
Hundreds of people have been allegedly killed in attacks by the Maoists rebels who usually target government troops and policemen but also have attacked civilians.
Ereli said the United States has a security assistance program designed to help the armed forces of Nepal counter the attacks by the Maoists.
"For our part, we're providing almost $21 million in military assistance since 2002 and our development assistance targets the immediate needs of the Nepali people," he said.
