Climate-Induced Disaster Triggers Humanitarian Crisis
Deadly flooding in Nepal has affected an estimated two million people across 72% of the country, including the capital, Kathmandu. This marks Nepal’s most severe flooding crisis in many years, with 200 killed, 100 injured and at least 32 still missing after only 48 hours. Floods and landslides have submerged homes and damaged critical infrastructure, including roads and bridges. Action Against Hunger is launching emergency interventions and calling on aid agencies and other international actors to rally greater support of relief efforts.
“Many areas, including parts of Kathmandu, are heavily flooded, forcing residents to move to higher floors or evacuate. The situation remains critical with rescue operations ongoing,” said Ojaswi Acharya, Action Against Hunger’s Country Director in Nepal. “We conduct assessments to understand the scale of the disaster, and know that people need food, safe drinking water, clothes and temporary shelter. The flooding also has increased the risk of waterborne diseases, adding to the challenges faced by healthcare providers.”
Local authorities have called on all international organizations working in Nepal, including Action Against Hunger, to support the relief response. Damage to roads and bridges has left some humanitarian teams with limited access to vulnerable communities. Action Against Hunger, which runs programs in the Udayapur, Rasuwa, and Nuwakot districts, has already begun providing relief and is conducting rapid assessments of the damage and community needs. The scope and focus of Action Against Hunger’s response plan will be determined by the outcomes of the needs assessments.
Nepal is highly vulnerable to natural disasters, with its mountainous terrain and monsoon climate making it prone to frequent floods, landslides, and earthquakes. The devastating 2015 earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives, remains a stark reminder of its fragility. The capacity of local authorities and institutions to respond is stretched thin, with limited resources available for immediate relief.
