Nepal is facing an escalating humanitarian crisis as torrential rains have unleashed widespread flooding and landslides across the country, severely impacting communities and infrastructure. The disaster is compounding existing vulnerabilities and creating urgent humanitarian needs.
Action Against Hunger, already active in the region, has mobilised an emergency response and is urging the international community, aid organisations, and global actors to come together to deliver immediate and sustained relief efforts.
Out of Nepal’s 77 districts, 56 have been affected, including the capital, Kathmandu. In the past 48 hours alone, the floods have claimed at least 200 lives, with more than 100 people seriously injured and 32 still missing. Thousands of homes have been submerged, and key infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, has been severely damaged, making evacuation and aid delivery even more difficult.
“Many regions, including parts of Kathmandu, remain heavily flooded, forcing families to either evacuate or seek refuge on higher ground. The situation is critical, and rescue operations are ongoing,” explains Ojaswi Acharya, Country Director for Action Against Hunger in Nepal.
With over 2 million people affected by this disaster, it ranks as one of the most devastating floods in recent years. Humanitarian organisations are bracing for a significant and long-lasting impact, as needs continue to rise.
“Right now, our priority is to assess the full scale of the disaster. Families urgently need food, clean drinking water, clothing, and temporary shelter. The flooding has also heightened the risk of waterborne diseases, further straining healthcare systems already under pressure,” Ms. Acharya added.
In response to the scale of the emergency, local authorities have called on international organisations, including Action Against Hunger, to intensify their support. Action Against Hunger, which operates in Udayapur, Rasuwa, and Nuwakot districts, has already deployed teams to conduct rapid damage assessments. A comprehensive response plan is set to be launched within hours, with its focus shaped by ongoing needs assessments.
Nepal’s mountainous terrain and monsoon climate make it highly susceptible to floods, landslides, and earthquakes. The 2015 earthquake, which claimed thousands of lives, serves as a tragic reminder of the country’s vulnerability. Today, the capacity of local authorities to respond to crises is stretched thin, with limited resources for immediate relief.