As time passes from the Himalayan glacier collapse and flash floods on August 26th, the state of emergency in Nepal continues to escalate. Over five thousand people are still unaccounted for, with hundreds of workers are still trapped underground, and tens of thousands of people have been left homeless including thousands of children. Remote communities have been completely cut off from essential services, with water and sanitation systems that have been destroyed rapidly increasing the threat of disease and infection, and the countries economic infrastructure has been severely impaired by the destruction of their trade routes.
Here are some of the members of Scotland’s International Development Alliance who are involved in the region, working with local organisations and providing funds to combat this humanitarian disaster.
EMMS
Following the devastating flooding affecting communities in Nepal, EMMS International’s partners continue to support rescue, relief and early recovery efforts on the ground. Working in close coordination with local government, health services and disaster-management authorities, teams are responding to immediate needs while adapting plans as the situation develops.
Essential bedding reaches families in Trishuli
One example of the types of relief being delivered is 40 mattresses and bedsheets, together with 80 pillows and pillowcases, which arrived safely in Trishuli this week and distributed to people affected by the emergency. With demand for bedding still high, partners have prepared a further 160 mattresses and bedsheets and 320 pillows and covers for onward distribution.
Relief workers remain in the area, positioned on opposite sides of the river, to liaise with officials and other organisations and assess needs first-hand. This local presence is especially important as arrangements for displaced people change and some are encouraged to move from holding centres into private accommodation.
Relief support in Uttargaya
In another example, in Uttargaya, a third wave of relief materials has been handed over through local authorities for families staying in holding centres. The support is expected to reach around 400 households—approximately 1,200 people.
Field teams are coordinating regularly with ward representatives, holding-centre managers, health posts and the District Disaster Management Committee. Further visits are being planned to identify gaps, understand local guidance and align the next stage of relief.
Donate to the EMMS appeal here.
CBM UK
Following initial assessments, and consultation with, among others, AIN (the Association of International NGOs) and the government’s Social Welfare Council who are coordinating relief efforts, CBM is working with local partners in the most affected municipalities of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading, to provide:
- Mental health and psychosocial support to affected communities.
- Assistive devices and rehabilitation services to people with disabilities.
- Technical advisory support to other agencies implementing relief programming, to make assistance across sectors more disability inclusive.
Donate to the Nepal appeal here.
Oxfam
Oxfam in Nepal stands in solidarity with all those affected by the devastating floods in Rasuwa and downstream areas of Nuwakot and Dhading, including local communities, travelers, pilgrims, tourists, workers, and families impacted by this tragedy.
Oxfam is coordinating with the National Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Authority (NDRRMA), a government agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs in Nepal, responsible for coordinating and implementing disaster risk reduction, response, and reconstruction activities and Social Welfare Council, an NGO monitoring body under the Government of Nepal, and District Administration Offices together with partners to provide relief materials to the affected.
Oxfam in Nepal is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with relevant government and humanitarian actors. Of the three districts currently impacted, Oxfam has an ongoing operational footprint in Dhading and mandate to work in Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Oxfam had previously responded to 2015 Earthquake in Dhading, Nuwakot and Rasuwa. Oxfam is in contact with partners and other humanitarian actors, including INGOs, to support the emerging needs assessment and understand potential response gaps.
Given the sudden onset, constrained access and continuing downstream risk, Oxfam is assessing the evolving humanitarian situation and potential response options through established coordination mechanisms and partners. Particular attention will be given to locally led inclusive response through partners, protection and inclusion, emergency food, WASH, Shelter and NFIs and support to highly vulnerable households, subject to verified needs, access and available resources.
As an initial response, Oxfam will handover supply emergency hygiene kits, incorporating water purification solutions, for 200 Households to the relevant government agency. Oxfam is also mobilizing 80,000 GBP worth of stockpile that includes temporary shelter, emergency WASH and hygiene kits.
Islamic Relief
“Islamic Relief has begun distributing emergency shelter kits in the districts of Rasuwa and Nuwakot. Each shelter kit includes essential items such as tarpaulins, blankets, pillows, and foam mattresses to help families meet their immediate needs.
We are coordinating with Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) and District Disaster Management Committee (DDMC) to ensure our support reaches those who need it most.
On 28 August, our team arrived in Nuwakot and described the ‘unimaginable devastation‘ they encountered among the remnants of villages that had been overcome by the flooding.”