Source: Save the Children
Floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains have swept away houses and buildings in Western Nepal, forcing nearly 750 families to leave their homes and killing more than 20 people, according to the government.
The floods and landslides come just a month after flash floods tore through Northern Nepal, killing at least 1,400 people with about 5,700 still missing.
Save the Children in Nepal is working with partners to distribute emergency aid including shelter kits, comprising tarpaulins, blankets, sleeping mats and rope, and hygiene kits to the affected areas.
Tara Chettry, Country Director, Save the Children in Nepal, said:
“Children are extremely anxious. They saw the devastating destruction in Northern Nepal one month ago, and are now seeing their homes being washed away.
“Floods in Nepal are crippling livelihoods, disrupting education and causing fear for children who need security and safety.
“The heavy rain is forcing children and their families to flee to higher ground or move into emergency shelters. Roads and bridges have been damaged, hampering efforts to reach communities.
“Save the Children is working with partners to deliver essential aid to people who have been displaced, including shelter and hygiene kits, in the first phase of the response, but, as we have seen before, their needs will be long-term.”
In areas impacted by the massive flash floods on 26 August in Northern Nepal, Save the Children has so far reached more than 7,500 people, including about 2,300 children, with emergency assistance and support.
The humanitarian and child rights organisation has set up child-friendly and temporary learning spaces, providing children with a safe place to play and learn, and is working alongside local authorities and partners to strengthen protection measures including increased monitoring and surveillance, including at checkpoints, and access to psychosocial support and case management services for children and their families.
Save the Children has worked in Nepal since 1976. The child rights organisation runs programmes spanning child protection, child rights governance, education, climate change, gender equality, health and nutrition and child poverty.
New Zealanders wanting to support Save the Children’s emergency response in Nepal can donate here: https://childrens-emergency-fund-colombia.savethechildren.org.nz/
About Save the Children NZ
Save the Children works in 120 countries across the world. The organisation responds to emergencies and works with children and their communities to ensure they survive, learn and are protected.
Save the Children NZ currently supports international programmes in Fiji, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Laos, Nepal, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Areas of work include child protection, education and literacy, disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation, and alleviating child poverty.