Global Affairs collecting DNA from families of Canadians missing in Nepal

KATHMANDU, Sept 2 — As Nepal grapples with the aftermath of devastating floods that have claimed over 1,000 lives and left nearly 4,000 missing, authorities have initiated a DNA collection drive to aid families in identifying their loved ones, according to The Guardian. With morgues overflowing and hundreds of bodies buried, the government is seeking DNA samples from relatives, both domestically and internationally, to assist in the identification process.

On the first day of the operation, 37 relatives arrived at a Kathmandu hospital to provide blood samples, with families from across the country reportedly coming forward. A 19-year-old named Prakrit Gurung sought her mother's identification through DNA, as her father had already been confirmed dead. The floods have also left communities in northern Nepal inaccessible, with roads and bridges destroyed, potentially leaving bodies undiscovered for weeks.

In Rasuwa district, 53-year-old Lhakpa Gha recounted the tragic loss of seven family members, including her father, brother-in-law, son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, and more. Gha expressed frustration at the army's inability to reach the affected village, emphasizing the urgent need for assistance. Aid agencies warn that the disaster has placed children at risk of malnutrition, disease, and trafficking, with approximately 2,600 children requiring treatment for severe wasting.