World Vision Australia has welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of $5 million in humanitarian assistance for communities devastated by this week’s catastrophic flooding along the Nepal–China border. Authorities have reported more than 380 deaths, with more than 900 people still unaccounted for, including residents, security personnel and foreign travellers. Thirty-two bridges and around 40 kilometres of road have been lost. The flood, triggered on Wednesday morning local time when an avalanche of ice and rock blocked a tributary of the Bhotekoshi River before releasing a sudden surge downstream, swept away entire settlements in Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts and carried destruction down the Trishuli and Narayani rivers. World Vision Australia CEO Grant Bayldon said the funding would help reach families in some of the most remote and hardest-hit communities in the Himalayas: “Children in these mountain villages went to sleep on Tuesday night with a home, a school and a community. By late morning, there was nothing. Families who survived are now cut off from help by the same rivers that took everything from them, and they need food, shelter and clean water before anything else.
“We’re grateful to the Australian Government, Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Minister for International Development Anne Aly, for acting quickly. Australians have always had a deep affection for Nepal, and this support reflects who we are as a country. Our thoughts are also with the families of Australians who remain unaccounted for,” Mr Bayldon commented.
The Australian package also includes deploying humanitarian specialists through the Australia Assists program. World Vision Nepal is coordinating with government authorities and humanitarian partners, with rapid needs assessments underway and emergency funds being mobilised for food assistance, shelter kits and essential household items for affected children and families.
“The scale of this is still unfolding. Every day we learn of more communities that have been cut off, more homes gone, more families who don’t know where their loved ones are. Our teams are working alongside the authorities and local partners to reach the most vulnerable households first, and the immediate needs are simple and urgent: food, safe shelter and clean water.” World Vision Nepal National Director Roslyn Gabriel commented, “For children, the loss goes beyond what can be replaced. Many have lost their homes, some have lost family, and they need to feel safe again.”
Australians can help provide urgent food, safe shelter, and clean water to children and families devastated by the catastrophic flash flooding in Nepal by donating at worldvision.com.au.