Helvetas has launched an initial emergency relief measure in the Uttargaya district, one of the most severely affected areas by the flash floods and landslides that have devastated several regions of Nepal in recent days. While search and rescue efforts continue, teams of the Swiss organisation for development cooperation and humanitarian aid distribute essential supplies to affected families.
In Uttargaya, Helvetas has started distributing urgently needed clothing for 400 people, hygiene kits for 150 families, and 960 packs of sanitary towels to meet the needs of women and girls affected by the disaster.
At the same time, a team from Helvetas is preparing to travel to the neighbouring district of Gosaikunda, where a rapid needs assessment will be conducted to determine the next humanitarian measures.
Communities cut off by landslides
Access to affected populations currently represents one of the greatest challenges for humanitarian aid.
"The roads have been destroyed by the mudslide. Authorities have cleared an emergency passage, but it is very narrow and difficult to navigate.
"Moreover, we are currently in the rainy season, and the downpours make access to the affected areas even more difficult," explains Niraj Acharya, Head of Humanitarian Aid for Helvetas in Nepal.
For Jürg Merz, Continental Coordinator for Asia, currently in Nepal, "the hardest time for the affected families is just beginning".
Thanks to substantial solidarity, which has brought in numerous donations in Switzerland, Helvetas will now be able to expand its operations on the ground.
More than 900 dead and thousands still missing
According to the latest figures from the Nepalese Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), the disaster has claimed 903 lives and injured 267 people, while 4,247 people are still missing.
According to Nepalese authorities, a total of 10,451 people have been rescued, including 252 foreign nationals. Among them, 3,344 Nepalese were evacuated by helicopter. Currently, 20,819 rescue personnel are engaged in search and rescue operations in the affected areas.
The Nepalese government has declared a state of emergency in 15 communities, while two additional communities are also severely affected.
Helvetas has already allocated 100,000 Swiss Francs for emergency aid.
Helvetas has been present in Nepal for over 70 years and has an extensive network of local partner organisations.
Helvetas has appealed for donations in Switzerland to enable emergency aid for those affected. This appeal has already received a considerable response in Switzerland.
Donation account: IBAN: CH76 0900 0000 8000 3130 4 (Purpose: Nepal)
Media contact: Nepal (English): Niraj Acharya, Head of Humanitarian Aid, Helvetas Nepal Mobile: +977 984 145 72 84 Email: Niraj.Acharya@helvetas.org
Maneesh Pradhan, Country Director, Helvetas Nepal Mobile: +977 1 54 24 925, 5424 926 Email: Maneesh.Pradhan@helvetas.org
Switzerland (German/English): Jürg Merz, Continental Coordinator for Asia, Helvetas (German and English-speaking) Mobile: +41 78 341 00 96 Email: Juerg.Merz@helvetas.org
Jürg Merz has worked for Helvetas in Nepal for many years and coordinated large-scale emergency relief efforts after the devastating earthquake in 2015.