NEPAL FLASH FLOODS: Rescuers race to find survivors with areas still cut off

Rescuers are racing to find survivors in the flash flood-devastated areas of Northern Nepal, as Save the Children delivers emergency aid to families, with many places still only accessible by helicopter.

The disaster in the Rasuwa region struck at a time when children were either on their way to school or starting lessons. Many children in the area travel long distances to school – areas that are now cut off by flood waters, potentially separating them from their families or caregivers. Damage to phone and internet infrastructure is making it challenging for families to contact relatives.

Families are finding shelter wherever they can. Some have moved in with relatives; others are living in public buildings such as community centers. Access to clean water has been severely disrupted across the district.

Save the Children staff working in the flood affected areas say there are significant challenges in reaching communities in need of aid. Roads have been blocked or flooded, and severe traffic congestion is slowing rescue and relief efforts as some people flee affected areas and others travel towards them to support rescue operations.

As the number of people confirmed dead rises, hundreds of people are still reported missing. The massive flash floods came without warning, sweeping through communities in the mountainous region and leaving behind destroyed homes and buildings, broken bridges and a sea of mud and debris.

Tara Chettry, Country Director, Save the Children in Nepal, said:

“Children’s lives changed in an instant. Some have lost their homes and belongings and a sense of security. For a child, losing a home is not just losing a building, it is losing the place where they feel safe.

“In the aftermath of a disaster like this, children are among the most vulnerable and face heightened risks to their health, safety, protection, and wellbeing. They will be confused and distressed after witnessing such devastation. Identifying any separated or unaccompanied children must be a priority for the rescue and response teams.

“While immediate assistance is urgently needed, the response cannot stop with emergency supplies. There will be no quick recovery for many of these communities and children and families will need sustained support well beyond the first days and weeks of this crisis, to meet their urgent needs, rebuild their lives, return to school and recover from this devastating disaster.

“Flexible funding is critical. It will allow us and our local partners to respond to longer term needs as the situation evolves, while investing in recovery and resilience so communities can rebuild safer and stronger.”

Save the Children in Nepal’s emergency response team is working in the affected areas and delivering essential items, including household and cooking kits, mosquito nets and blankets to 1,000 households in the first phase of assistance.

The humanitarian and child rights organization is coordinating with national and local authorities to establish the immediate and long-term needs of children and families and is ready to scale up its response.

Save the Children has worked in Nepal since 1976. The organization runs programs spanning child protection, child rights governance, education, climate change, gender equality, health and nutrition and child poverty.

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