Floods and mudslides in Nepal: HI launches an emergency response to help those affected

Scenes of devastation

At the border between Nepal and Tibet, a flood, possibly caused by a rockslide or an ice avalanche, formed along the Bhote Koshi River and surged downstream as a massive wave of mud, sweeping away everything in its path. Entire villages were swept away, bridges destroyed, roads flooded, and several pieces of infrastructure, such as hydroelectric power stations, damaged or destroyed.

Preliminary figures indicate that more than 160 people have been killed, around 100 injured and nearly a thousand are missing. However, the scale of the disaster suggests that the death toll is likely to rise significantly as search operations continue. The region’s mountainous terrain and scale of infrastructure damage are hampering the work of rescue teams. Furthermore, communications remain cut off with some of the worst-affected areas.

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“The images reaching us from the disaster areas are terrifying; they show a torrent suddenly surging forward and sweeping everything away in its path. Roads have been cut off by the mudslide and some areas are now completely inaccessible by road; this is particularly the case for several health centers and two hospitals. The risk of further landslides or of houses, whose foundations have been weakened, collapsing remains high in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading,” explains Rajesh Chandra, director of HI’s Nepal program.

Thousands of people have fled the oncoming mudslide, leaving their homes and possessions behind. According to the Nepalese authorities, more than 10,000 households are in need of emergency aid.

HI is preparing its emergency response

HI has been working in Nepal for over 25 years and has extensive expertise in disaster response and rehabilitation.

“People have been injured in the disaster and HI was quickly called upon by the Department of Health to provide support in rehabilitation and mental health. We are preparing to deploy an emergency team to help hospitals cope with the influx of injured people and to provide around a hundred mobility aids – walking sticks, crutches, wheelchairs and so on – to those who need them. One of our key priorities is to ensure that the emergency response is truly inclusive, taking particular account of people with disabilities, older people and other vulnerable groups,” Chandra explains.

HI stands ready to deploy an emergency rehabilitation team to support hospitals in the region by strengthening their services. The first few hours following a disaster are indeed crucial for providing rapid care to patients – some of whom are seriously injured – and preventing permanent disabilities.

In addition, initial psychological support will be offered to those affected by the disaster to help them cope with the trauma caused by the disaster.

Finally, HI has stocks of essential items – blankets, clothing, kitchen utensils, soap, etc. – ready to be delivered to support families whose homes have been buried under the mudslide. As a result, around a hundred households are expected to receive emergency aid shortly to help them cope with the hours and days of uncertainty that lie ahead.

Give now to support families impacted by the floods.