Kathmandu: The World Bank today announced an aid of USD 50 million to Nepal to support the country's effort to consolidate November 2006 peace deal.

The fund will be used as compensation for families of the civil war deceased and for the allowances of approximately 19,600 Maoists satying in UN-monitored cantonments.

"In this pivotal moment in Nepal's history it is important to take concrete steps to consolidate the peace process and to ensure that development and service delivery are scaled up," Susa Goldmark, World Bank country director for Nepal said in a press statement today.

In addition, the bank also approved another USD 50 million fund for improving infrastructure of health, rural water supply and sanitation.

The additional financing grant to the Health Sector Programme is designed to expand access to and the use of essential health care services, especially by underserved populations, the statement said.

In addition to this the grant will support two recent initiatives: the removal of some user fees and the introduction of the Safe Delivery Incentive Programme that would benefit many poor and disadvantaged women and children.

Source : PTI