Following Devastating Floods in Nepal, HI Deploys an Inclusive Response

NEPAL - Six days after the devastating floods, the situation remains dire. HI is on the ground, working with disaster survivors to identify needs and provide an inclusive response.

Rescue Efforts Continue as Thousands Remain Missing and Displaced

The floods in Nepal continue to cast a shadow of grief over the country. The death toll is rising day by day, with nearly 1,000 people dead and more than 4,400 missing. Search operations are still underway to locate survivors and evacuate them.  

Some of the hardest-hit regions remain very difficult to access, as many bridges have been destroyed and roads are damaged or blocked by debris and mudslides. Telecommunications have not yet been restored everywhere, and some areas remain completely cut off from the rest of the country. 

HI team arrived in the district of Nuwakot, one of the worst-affected areas, in the days following the flooding. The team visited health centers and emergency shelters to assess the needs of survivors and to identify people requiring specific assistance, such as people with disabilities, older people and children. 

Rabindra Shrestha, HI’s Rehabilitation Specialist and member of the team deployed to the area, says,

“When we arrived in Nuwakot, we were immediately struck by the large number of people moving along the main roads, families, volunteers, armed forces, and relief workers all working together. What stayed with me most was seeing the faces of those looking at lists of missing family members. I could see the hope and despair in their eyes. I saw mothers carrying their babies, trying every possible way to find their husbands or children; it was a heartbreaking sight. But despite the pain, I also noticed moments of support and resilience among the people, a reminder of the strength and hope that sustain the community.”  

For the ten thousand people displaced by the disaster, the situation remains extremely precarious: they need temporary shelters, with access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as well as food. Given the extremely cramped conditions in which some survivors are living, special care is needed to ensure that children and women are protected from potential violence. The authorities are also closely monitoring the risk of disease outbreaks. 

HI’s Emergency Response 

Working closely with local authorities, HI teams are helping to assess the needs of various communities, paying particular attention to people with disabilities, older people, children, and women. This step is essential to ensure a response tailored to everyone’s needs.

Shrestha explains: 

“At present, generating accurate information is challenging due to access difficulties. The figures are continuously changing, which limits our ability to plan effective actions. We are working with our partners to advocate for the most vulnerable and are striving to establish services tailored to their specific needs. To move forward, coordinated efforts with all stakeholders are essential to reach affected populations.” 

Hence, HI is assessing rehabilitation needs in healthcare centers and temporary shelters. Injured people requiring advanced, specialized care are transferred to Kathmandu, while some centers treat people with minor injuries and provide rehabilitation. In addition, HI has handed over approximately 100 mobility aids, such as wheelchairs and crutches, to the authorities for distribution to those in need. 

Shrestha adds,

“Mobility aids are difficult to access after the flood, which is why we have brought this emergency stock. We are also seeing significant mental health needs. The people we meet remind us of the deep human distress behind it, the resilience, the silent suffering and the urgent need for support.”

In addition to functional rehabilitation services, HI has mobilized its local partners and is preparing to launch mental health and psychosocial support, as well as protection services, with a team of about 10 people expected to arrive on the ground on September 3. HI team is also preparing to start needs assessments in some of the most inaccessible areas, such as Trishuli and Rasuwa.  

Every Survivor Has a Story - Behind Every Story There’s a Cry for Help 

During his time on the ground, Shrestha, HI’s Rehabilitation Specialist, meets many survivors of the floods, people who, in many cases, have lost everything. 

“During our visit to a hospital, we met a group of people from Devighat who had been affected by the floods. Among them was an older man who had lost everything: His home, his belongings, and yet he answered our questions with a calmness that seemed almost unaffected. It was as if he had accepted the loss, showing strength in silence,” said Shrestha. “We also met a young mother and her child who hadn’t spoken a word. They just listened quietly, absorbing everything around them. When they heard about their missing husband and father, their eyes filled with tears, heavy with silent pain and heartbreak. Every person affected by the floods has a story, and behind every story, a family is crying out for help.”

Stand with Nepal: Nepal Floods: Families Need Help Right Now 

For more information about HI's work in Nepal, check our Nepal Mission Page.

Spokespersons are available for interviews upon request.