© UNICEF/L. Prasad-Ngahusi Almost a thousand people in Nepal are considered missing. Rescuers in Nepal work around the clock: hundreds of dead, thousands cut off from the world Humanitarian assistance
Major rescue operations continue in Nepal following devastating floods that have killed at least 464 people. Almost a thousand are considered missing, among them more than five hundred foreigners.
According to UN Nepal Coordinator Leela Peters Yahia, many parts of the country are completely cut off from the world, aid is being delivered by helicopter, and the destruction of infrastructure – including 40 kilometers of roads – is assessed as “colossal”. The operation involves over 30 thousand military and security personnel working around the clock.
The head of the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore, called the incident “the largest disaster in the modern history of the country.” He warned of the risk of further landslides and floods in mountainous areas and stressed the need for long-term recovery.
The International Federation of the Red Cross reported that some areas were still inaccessible even for initial damage assessments. According to preliminary data, about 93 thousand people are affected. The Federation has launched a one-year humanitarian appeal for Nepal worth 25 million Swiss francs.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least 17 thousand children are in urgent need of assistance, many have lost their families and homes, and about 10 thousand cannot return to school. The fund is requesting $17.2 million to continue emergency response operations.
The World Health Organization reported damage to six medical facilities and eight health workers missing. Poor water supply and sanitation increases the risk of outbreaks of infections. Emergency medical kits, tents and other supplies have already been delivered to the country.
Representatives of humanitarian agencies warn that the situation remains extremely unstable, and access to clean water and medical care is a key problem for survivors.