Updated

U.S. Peace Corps volunteers have returned to Nepal eight years after they left due to a communist insurgency.

The U.S. Embassy in Katmandu said 20 Peace Corps Volunteers arrived in the country on Sunday. They will be working on food security, sanitation and health projects in different locations in this Himalayan nation.

The Peace Corps withdrew volunteers from Nepal in 2004 citing security concerns as Maoist rebels fought government troops.

The Maoists joined the peace process in 2006 and gave up their armed revolt. The Maoists' deputy leader Baburam Bhattarai now leads a coalition government.

The U.S. announced last week it was removing the Maoists from its list of terrorist groups.