Caritas responds to devastating Nepal floods

A sudden surge of water struck communities along rivers near the Nepal-China border, with some of the worst impacts reported in Rasuwa District. Authorities say tens of thousands of people have been affected, while search and rescue operations continue in areas now made even more isolated due to the loss of roads and bridges.

Caritas Nepal has deployed an assessment team to affected communities and has already begun providing emergency assistance.

With many families having lost food supplies, cooking equipment and household belongings, Caritas has established community kitchens and dispatched food supplies to provide meals for hundreds of affected families. Tarpaulins, blankets and sleeping mats are also being distributed as people shelter outdoors or in temporary accommodation.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Mena Antonio said the organisation is working closely with its partners in Nepal to support communities affected by the disaster.

“Many families have lost homes, possessions and access to basic services in a matter of hours. Our priority is helping people meet their immediate needs while also ensuring support remains available as communities begin the long process of recovery,” Ms Antonio said.

The cause of the flood remains under investigation, but preliminary assessments indicate it may have been triggered by a glacial lake outburst flood high in the Himalayas.

As of August 31, 4200 people were missing in Nepal and 574 in Tibet, the BBC reported. The death toll in Nepal was 903 and the official death toll in Tibet was 16.

While immediate humanitarian needs include emergency shelter, food, safe drinking water and hygiene supplies, Caritas said recovery is likely to continue for many months and even years.

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is appealing for donations to help fund the emergency response and support long-term recovery efforts alongside local partners in Nepal.

Sr Cecilia Durga Shrestha, executive director of Caritas Nepal, noted that the organisation has already had experience with dealing with major natural disasters, as the country was hit by a 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 2015, which killed almost 9000 people and injured 21,000.

This experience has helped them coordinate and collaborate with their various partners quickly in order to respond to this disaster, she said, according to a report from Vatican News.

FULL STORY

Caritas responds as devastating floods hit Nepal (Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand)

Caritas Nepal: Situation is difficult but Church working to support people (Vatican News)

Nepal floods latest: Officials intensifying efforts to free hundreds believed trapped in hydropower tunnels (BBC)

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