Deadly floods caused widespread damage in China and Nepal

UN agencies and humanitarian partners have provided support to local authorities, UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said.

“The Secretary General is saddened by the devastating floods we are witnessing today in Nepal and China, which have claimed many lives, left people missing and caused widespread destruction,” Dujarric said.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Lila Pieters Yahia is coordinating aid efforts with partners to support the government-led response “in an effort to meet the enormous humanitarian need”, added the UN Spokesperson.

Fast response in the field

According to authorities in Nepal, around 10,000 households need immediate assistance.

Settlements, markets, roads, bridges and hydroelectric infrastructure were swept away or damaged, roads cut and power cut, UN humanitarian agency, Ochareported.

The humanitarian community has provided emergency assistance and remains on standby to provide additional support as needs become clearer.

“We also support efforts to quickly assess the scale of the disaster,” Dujarric said, noting ongoing assessment efforts.

“Our UN office in China also reported damage and a large number of casualties and destruction in China’s Tibet autonomous region. We are, of course, ready to assist government-led efforts in China.”

What is the UN doing?

Responding quickly to emergencies is one of the UN’s top priorities, including providing rapid support to major floods in Nepal.

UN humanitarian partners are also mobilizing in Nepal as Save the Children has begun deploying staff to the flood-hit Nuwakot district and the Nepal Red Cross has delivered 200 emergency shelter packages.

The following is an overview of UN efforts that are already underway:

• The World Food Program (WFP) is provide emergency rations to affected areas and logistical support to national authorities
• Two World Health Organization (WHO) staff are already on site with enough medical equipment for around 10,000 people for three months, as well as tents and logistical support.
• Starting Thursday, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will deploy staff and trucks carrying aid supplies
• The UN Development Program (UNDP) mobilizes data management support and sends UN Volunteers
• The UN Resident Coordinator’s Office and OCHA helped secure satellite imagery and analysis in the flood-affected areas