The United Nations has appealed for nearly $50 million in emergency funding to support more than 84,000 people affected by devastating floods in Nepal.
The UN warned that survivors are facing an increasingly urgent situation as winter approaches. Thousands of families have lost homes, access to essential services and sources of income following the catastrophic flooding.
The disaster struck on August 26 along the China-Nepal border. The floods were triggered by a glacial mountain collapse and caused widespread destruction across affected areas.
More than 1,300 people were reported dead across Nepal and China, while more than 5,600 people remained missing, according to the information provided by the UN appeal.
Roads, Bridges and Power Infrastructure Destroyed
The floods swept through several mountainous districts, damaging critical infrastructure and cutting off communities from essential services.
Roads and bridges were destroyed or severely damaged. Hydropower dams were also affected, adding further pressure to communities already struggling with the consequences of the disaster.
The UN said many survivors had lost almost everything required for daily life.
“Time is against them,” the UN office in Nepal warned, highlighting the growing urgency of the humanitarian response.
UN Nepal and its humanitarian partners are seeking nearly $50 million to provide immediate assistance to the worst-hit communities.
The requested funding will support cash assistance, food supplies, emergency shelter, clean drinking water and healthcare.
Disease Threat Grows in Displacement Centres
Health officials are also becoming increasingly concerned about the spread of disease among displaced survivors.
The UN said health authorities were already monitoring cases of fever and diarrhoea in displacement centres.
The presence of human remains and thousands of dead livestock beneath the flood debris has further increased the risk of communicable disease outbreaks.
The situation is particularly difficult in communities close to the disaster’s epicentre. Some areas remain cut off because roads and other transportation links were destroyed.
Humanitarian agencies warned that families who have lost their homes cannot afford to wait months for permanent solutions.
The UN said affected families need durable shelter within weeks as temperatures begin to fall.
Access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare is also considered an immediate priority to prevent further loss of life.
Nepal Faces Billions in Reconstruction Costs
The humanitarian emergency is expected to develop into a major reconstruction challenge for Nepal.
A preliminary UN assessment estimated that damage to buildings from the floods alone had reached approximately $158 million.
However, the overall financial impact is expected to be significantly higher.
The wider losses include damage to roads and bridges, agricultural land, hydropower infrastructure and other essential facilities.
Humanitarian response costs will also add to the financial burden.
Nepal has indicated that the total reconstruction bill could eventually reach billions of dollars.
The UN’s appeal is therefore focused not only on immediate survival needs but also on helping affected communities recover from one of the most destructive flood disasters in the region.
With winter approaching and thousands of people still without secure shelter, humanitarian agencies are urging the international community to provide funding quickly.
The UN says timely assistance will be critical to protecting survivors, preventing disease outbreaks and helping devastated communities begin rebuilding their lives.
