UN agencies coordinate aid for thousands of flood-hit Nepalese

Families affected by the floods and landslides that have hit Nepal this year are receiving assistance thanks to a coordinated effort by United Nations agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the Nepal Red Cross Society.

The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is continuously supporting district government’s coordination structure and coordinating disaster response meetings in Nepal. According to the latest assessments conducted by the Red Cross Society, a total of 26 districts have been affected. The estimated total number of affected families is around 16,000 but will increase as assessments in newly-affected districts are still in process.

“Our main concern with the floods in Nepal, that estimate of the number will of people who are affected – will drastically rise,” Stephanie Bunker, a spokesperson for OCHA said of the floods.

The Red Cross Society estimates that over 45,000 people to date have received various relief assistance. While the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that no epidemics have occurred, the agency in collaboration with the Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD) and the District Health Office in Nepal, will continue monitoring the health situation, paying attention especially to vector-borne diseases.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) expects to deliver a total of 1,300 metric tonnes of food, including rice, lentils, salt and oil to those affected in the country’s western regions. An assessment of longer-term humanitarian needs in the realms of shelter and education is now being conducted. A total of 5,700 educational kits will be provided to affected districts by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and its NGO partners.

“Our operations are underway and working with Nepal Red Cross we plan to make sure that food isn't a problem for the victims of this tragic crisis,” Richard Ragan, WFP's Country Director for Nepal, said earlier this week. “While much of the world's attention is focused on the ongoing peace process in Nepal, it is important that we also respond to the very real and immediate needs of these victims of a terrible natural disaster.”

In the most affected districts of Banke, Bardiya and Achham, deliveries of immediate relief assistance continue despite the bad weather that has occasionally hampered transportation of the assistance, OCHA said.