U.S. Approves $1 Million More for Forensic Work to Help Identify Nepal Flood Victims

The funding backs FBI forensic support and equipment to speed victim identification and the United States says it stands ready to provide further aid as needs change.

Overview

The State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs approved an additional $1 million for forensic support, bringing listed State Department assistance to about $5.05 million.
FBI forensic specialists have been deployed to work alongside Nepal Police on disaster victim identification and U.S. officials are coordinating with local authorities to determine urgent needs such as DNA analysis kits.
The U.S. military delivered specialized recovery supplies, 500 first-aid kits, stretchers, front-end loaders, and placed a four-person Military Civil Affairs Team in Nepal to support search, rescue, and recovery operations.
State Department funding also includes $3 million routed through the World Food Program for food and logistics and grants for shelter, health, water and sanitation furnished by partners including Catholic Relief Services, Jhpiego, FHI-360, and UNICEF.
Officials describe the response as rapidly evolving, saying the forensic support aims to give families answers, help with victim identification and repatriation, and that Washington is prepared to adjust assistance as Nepali needs change.