Delivering aid to Nepal flood survivors 'very, very difficult': UN

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the challenge of delivering aid to Nepal flood survivors, with the remote Himalayan communities remaining inaccessible due to destroyed roads, bridges and hydropower dams. KATHMANDU, Sep 3 - More than 1,200 people have been killed and 5,600 are missing across the China-Nepal border since the catastrophic glacial mountain collapse on Aug 26.

UN Resident Coordinator Lila Pieters Yahia emphasized the enormity of the disaster, stating that aid workers are considering using cargo drones and porters to reach the isolated communities. Over 800 foreigners from at least 34 countries, including tourists and pilgrims, are among those missing. In Kathmandu, families of the missing foreigners are searching hospitals and morgues for information, while relatives in China are sharing photographs of missing loved ones on social media.

The UN is working with Nepal's government to deliver essential supplies like water, sanitation kits, food and medicine. Foreign Minister Shisir Khanal described the disaster as a "Himalayan tsunami," highlighting the severity of the situation. Nepal needs specialized international assistance, including heavy-lift drones, temporary bridges, a mobile air traffic control system, and broadband seismometers.

More than 21,000 Nepali security personnel are involved in search and rescue operations, but teams have hit dead ends in the hydropower tunnels. The UN is discussing the use of helicopters and cargo drones to deliver aid, and may also utilize Nepal's porters for this task.