LWF is providing emergency aid to communities affected by heavy monsoon rains in Nepal this autumn. Climate change has increased the severity of the rains in recent years.
Rekha Chaudhary in front of her house, which was damaged in the floods. Photo: LWF Nepal
Heavy monsoon rains caused death and destruction in Western Nepal
(LWI) - “You came as a blessing”, said Rekha Chaudhary from Bhajani municipality in Western Nepal. She and her family were among those affected by heavy monsoon rains this fall. They have received emergency aid through the Lutheran World Federation (LWF).
Floods in Western Nepal have been a recurrent phenomenon for years. Climate change has increased the annual monsoon rains. In the lowlands rivers rise and, in the mountains, villages are in danger of landslides. Every year, hundreds die during the monsoon season.
LWF Nepal has been able to reach out to those affected and has over the last two years provided relief and recovery support to around 4,300 people in the western region.
Extreme monsoon
Chaudhary’s home is close to the Indian border, close to the Mohana river. After weeks of rain in September, the entire village, including her house, was flooded. The residents were rescued by the municipality and the local police, but after that, she and the other villagers lived on the roadside. They had lost everything when the floods washed away their homes, stored grains, clothes, agricultural tools, even the school uniforms and school bags of the children.
At least 33 people died in the floods and landslides in the district. According to the Bhajani Municipality in Kailai, 7,419 households have been affected and 3,273 people displaced. "We didn't have food to eat for three days," Rekha remembered. “There was also no drinking water." With tears in her eyes, she added: “It seems like the disaster hits poor families like us the hardest.”
It seems like the disaster hits poor families like us the hardest.
Rekha CHAUDHARY, Bhajani community
Many people have very little to fall back on. Chaudhary is an Ex-Kamaya, former bonded laborer. She lives on daily labor with her family of five.
LWF emergency aid
Safe drinking water was among the items distributed by LWF days after the floods. Photo: LWF Nepal
LWF provided food and drinking water to 500 households affected by floods. Chaudhary, like all others, received 6 liters of water, 1 kg of rice (chiura), furandana (a Nepali rice dish) and 12 packets of biscuits. “It was heartbreaking to see our children sleeping on an empty stomach. The food assistance saved our lives and the lives of our children.”
To recover from the disaster, Chaudary and the other families she will need more food, school supplies for the children, support to rebuild their house, and agricultural seeds and tools. LWF is prioritizing support to the communities affected by the floods. LWF is also planning to rebuild water and sanitation infrastructure, support the reconstruction of houses, distribute everyday items needed like kitchen equipment and blankets, and provide livelihood and education support.
As extreme floods like these occur more frequently, LWF Nepal is advocating with local, provincial and federal administration to construct flood-resistant houses, embankments, and safe community shelters. LWF Nepal has also provided technical assistance to the local government in developing resilience plans and programs for the community.
LWF carries out its humanitarian aid upon request of the provincial ministry of internal affairs and law, and with its local partner Digo Bikash Samaj in collaboration with the Bhajani Municipality.
