© UNICEF According to Nepali authorities, about 10 thousand families need immediate assistance. Floods in China and Nepal: UN mobilizes efforts to help victims Humanitarian aid
UN humanitarian agencies have launched a massive emergency response to those affected by massive flooding in China and Nepal, which has caused widespread death and destruction. According to the press secretary of the UN Secretary General, Stephane Dujarric, the Organization’s structures and its humanitarian partners are already providing support to local authorities.
“The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the impact of the floods we saw today in Nepal and China,” Dujarric said. “They claimed many lives, led to the disappearance of people and caused widespread destruction.”
According to Nepali authorities, about 10 thousand families need immediate assistance. Markets, roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and entire villages were washed away or damaged. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), traffic on many roads in the region has been disrupted and power supplies have been disrupted. “We are also facilitating a rapid assessment of the scale of the disaster,” Dujarric said.
The spokesman added that the UN office in China is reporting destruction, numerous casualties and significant damage in the Tibet Autonomous Region. “We are of course ready to support the efforts of the Chinese government,” Dujarric added.
The World Food Program is providing emergency food rations to those affected and providing logistical support to national authorities. Two World Health Organization staff are already on site. WHO has medical kits for about 10 thousand people in the region, as well as tents and logistics equipment.
Starting Thursday, the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) will begin sending staff and vehicles with humanitarian supplies to the affected region. The UN Development Program is mobilizing data management experts and sending volunteers to the region. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs is helping to take satellite imagery and conduct analysis of the flood-affected area.
UN humanitarian partners are also mobilizing their efforts: Save the Children is sending staff to the affected Nuwakot area, and the Nepal Red Cross is sending 200 kits of shelters for those left homeless.