UN appeals for US$50mil for Nepal flood victims

The United Nations has called for US$50 million in emergency funding to aid over 84,000 Nepalese people affected by catastrophic floods. These floods, triggered by a glacial mountain collapse on August 26 near the China-Nepal border, have resulted in over 1,300 deaths and more than 5,600 people still missing in both nations. Time is running out for those who survived, as the UN office in Nepal warns.

The floods have destroyed roads, bridges, and hydropower dams, severely impacting daily life for many. Emergency aid is needed for shelter, clean water, healthcare, and food, as health authorities are already observing cases of fever and diarrhoea in displacement centers. Human remains and thousands of dead livestock remain in the debris, increasing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Communities near the epicentre are still cut off, and families in need of permanent housing require durable shelter within weeks, not months. The UN's preliminary assessment estimates building damage from the floods at US$158 million, with total losses likely to exceed this figure, including damage to infrastructure, agricultural land, and the costs of humanitarian assistance. Nepal has indicated that the reconstruction bill could run into billions of dollars.