Nepal |
Disaster Assistance at a Glance
Recent Disaster Declarations :
Floods, landslides, complex emergency
OFDA Response :
Emergency relief supplies; agriculture and food security; humanitarian coordination and information management; protection; relief commodities; water, sanitation, and hygiene
OFDA Preparedness :
Disaster preparedness, capacity buildingÂ
Latest OFDA Report :
Nepal - Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #2 (59kb PDF)
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Most Recent Disaster Declaration:
Nepal Floods, 08-21-2008
On August 18, the Saptakoshi River broke through a retaining wall following heavy monsoon rains, resulting in floods in Sunsari District in southeastern Nepal. Flooding affected eight village development committees and displaced between 35,000 and 50,000 people, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and local media. The displaced populations took shelter in public buildings, unable to return to flooded areas until the embankment was repaired. Flood waters blocked Nepal’s East-West Highway and disrupted communications systems. On August 18, the Government of Nepal began search and rescue efforts, and Sunsari District officials reported difficulties providing shelter and distributing relief materials. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) responded with food, shelter, and emergency relief commodities, including pre-positioned supplies from a USAID/OFDA-funded preparedness program implemented by Save the Children/U.S. (SC/US)
On August 21, U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell issued a disaster declaration due to the impact of flooding in Nepal. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Nepal to SC/US and the NRCS for the local purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter materials, to populations affected by the flooding.
Additional Disaster Declarations:
Floods and Landslides, 07-31-2007
Heavy monsoon rains since July 17 led to extensive flooding and landslides, severely affecting 28 of Nepal’s 75 districts, according to the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS).
Floods and landslides killed at least 56 people and affected approximately 235,000 others, while damaging or destroying an estimated 15,000 houses based on preliminary assessments by NRCS. Flooding affected communications and transportation links to some areas, making a full assessment difficult. NRCS surveys indicated particularly
severe flooding in seven southern plains districts including Banke, Bardiya, and Kailali in the west, as well Dhanusa, Saptari, Siraha, and Udayapur districts in the east
On July 31, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Robert L. Hugins declared a disaster due to the effects of the flooding and landslides. In response, USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through USAID/Nepal to
Save the Children/US (SC/US), in partnership with NRCS, for the local purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies.
In addition, SC/US and NRCS distributed flood relief supplies pre-positioned through an existing USAID/OFDA-funded preparedness program.
A USAID/OFDA Regional Advisor, in conjunction with USAID/Nepal and implementing partners, monitored conditions and provided regular updates on affected areas.
Complex Emergency , 10-11-2006
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Beneficiaries carry supplies provided through an OFDA-supported drought assistance program in Nepal. |
The decade-long civil conflict in Nepal between the Government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist caused an estimated 13,000 deaths, according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The conflict displaced an estimated 200,000 people. In February 2007, OCHA estimated that as many as 130,000 refugees remain in Nepal, including approximately 107,000 refugees from Bhutan.
On October 11, 2006, U.S. Ambassador James F. Moriarty re-declared a disaster due to the ongoing humanitarian needs resulting from the conflict. Since FY 2002, OFDA has provided nearly $5 million for humanitarian assistance programs in Nepal.
For information on additional USAID disaster responses in Nepal, please see OFDA Annual Reports.
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