The US will provide USD 700,000 assistance to Nepal to help rebuild and seismically strengthen the earthquake-hit Gaddi Baithak, a neoclassical building at the Durbar Square here.
US Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Evan Ryan announced the US government's Ambassador's Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant to restore the Gaddi Baithak during a ceremony at Durbar Square.
The USD 700,000 grant will be used for seismic strengthening and restoration of the early 20th century Gaddi Baithak. The amount is the largest AFCP project awarded this year.
The grant was awarded to US-based charitable organisation Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief, which will oversee the repair of the Baithak and help improve the palace's structural safety and earthquake resistance, according to a statement issued by the US embassy here.
The sturucture was badly damaged in the massive earthquakes last year and is the cornerstone of the Durbar Square - a UNESCO heritage site.
"The Ambassador's Fund is among the US government's most significant cultural initiatives abroad," Ryan said.
"The United States is committed to protecting the unique and irreplaceable cultural heritage in Nepal, and the Gaddi Baithak restoration project aims to restore this important structure to its original grandeur," Ryan added.
Gaddi Baihak is apart of the royal palace throne room. Built in 1908 during the Rana period, it was heavily influenced by the British who often liaised with Nepal.
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