The United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched a 49.6-million-dollar emergency appeal to support more than 84,000 people devastated by last week’s catastrophic floods and landslides in northern Nepal.
The UN says time is running out as winter approaches, with thousands of survivors in urgent need of shelter, food, clean water and healthcare.
The disaster, triggered by a glacial collapse on August 26, unleashed torrents of water, ice, rock and mud across communities along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems.
Nepal’s latest official figures put the death toll at 1,287, with more than 5,000 people still missing, while roads, bridges, homes and hydropower facilities have suffered extensive destruction.
The humanitarian crisis is deepening as damaged infrastructure leaves some communities cut off and health authorities warn of disease outbreaks in displacement centres.
The UN appeal will provide cash assistance, food, emergency shelter, clean water, healthcare and protection, while Nepal estimates total losses from the disaster at about 2.6 billion dollars, with billions more potentially required for reconstruction.
