NDI offers its heartfelt condolences to the people of Nepal after Saturday's devastating earthquake.

"Our hearts go out to the families of the more than 4,000 confirmed dead and the tens of thousands of Nepalis camped in the streets,” said NDI Chairman Madeleine K. Albright. “They are facing further aftershocks, the risk of additional building collapse, loss of power and water, and hospitals struggling to keep up with overwhelming numbers of injured.”

"The magnitude of this tragedy is still unfolding," she said. "But it is clear from the significant loss of life and property that recovery efforts will be long and arduous, and the help of the international community will be essential for a long time to come.”

NDI is grateful that its staff members and their immediate families are all safe. We are in close contact with them and are working to ensure they are provided for during this difficult time.  When the earthquake struck, many of the staff and consultants were in Dhulikel -- about an hour from Kathmandu -- conducting a training program with parliamentarians and female political party members.  

NDI has worked in Nepal since 1994, conducting programs on political party and parliamentary development, voter and civic education, domestic election observation, and youth and women’s political empowerment. The Institute has been working with the country’s political parties and Constituent Assembly/Parliament to strengthen their institutional capacities, improve their responsiveness to members and constituents, and prepare for local elections. NDI programs are supported by USAID.