Nepal: Emergency aid to flood victims

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

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.