One week on from the devastating floods, urgent relief is providing a lifeline

Image pixlated to protect identity

One week on from the flash floods that devastated villages close to the Nepal-China border, aid teams on the ground continue to reach and support survivors.

Make a donation: Nepal Emergency Appeal

The floods were triggered when a mass of glacial ice and rock detached from the massive Langtang Lirung – A mountain in the Himalayas that stands at 7,234 metres (23,734 ft), more than five times the height of tallest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis.

The ice and rock that detached from the mountain plummeted about 1,200m, registering 5.2 on the Richter Scale when it landed, and triggering an avalanche of more ice and rock into the Lende Khola river. Travelling at a speed of about 150m per second, the flood water laced with rock, ice and debris was unstoppable and roared through villages miles downstream from where the initial impact hit.

EMMS partners in Nepal immediately stepped into action, which has been thoughtfully coordinated and continuous throughout. Work to deliver relief can be harrowing and challenging, but it is getting through. Since the disaster, hundreds of relief packages have been distributed, and medical response teams have been treating people in need of care. On reaching communities, they found:

“Survivors are traumatized, unable to speak or even seek medical treatment. Hundreds of people are crammed into shelters without toilets or sleeping space. Fear hangs heavy in the air, with families too shaken to come forward for aid, haunted by the thought of being caught in another flood. Their stories are filled with immense loss and the lasting scars of this disaster.

“Mental health is one of the biggest challenges and issues for the affected people. There were many children and elderly in hysteria and shock, they could not turn off the sound of the waves in their heads and could not stop repeating what they saw. 

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A key focus of the relief effort has been providing medical care to those affected. This can involve setting up medical camps in regions that have been impacted by the floods. Dedicated teams focus on essential primary healthcare, treatment of common illnesses, wound care and minor injuries, diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses, essential medicines and continuity of care for chronic conditions, basic emergency care and stabilization, and referral of patients requiring further treatment. The teams will also provide health education, hygiene, and disease-prevention messages, with particular attention to vulnerable groups such as children, older people, persons with disabilities, and other high-risk populations. They will also help to assess emerging health needs, gaps in medicines, referral services and rehabilitation.

The relief teams are also distributing vital relief packages including:

·       Food Packages including rice, lentil, salt, sunflower oil, soya chunks, beaten rice, and snacks sufficient to sustains a family of 4 for around 2 weeks.

·       WASH Kits including water purification tablets, toothpaste, toothbrush, nail cutter, bathing soap, detergent soap, soap case, sanitary pad, towels, mosquito net, hair comb. 

·       Non-Food Items such as tarpaulins, blankets, clothes, solar light, plastic bucket and mug.  

·       Medical Responses including psychosocial counselling, supplies, medicine, equipment and fuel for holding centres and health centres

While challenging, these efforts are making a difference:

“I must commend them for being the very first to reach us despite the rough roads and perilous journey. Your team includes both medical and non-medical staff—doctors, nurses, counsellors, and administrators—who have come together to support us in a truly holistic way. Even critical supplies like diesel and LP gas have been provided, which has been invaluable. Thank you sincerely for already meeting the needs we expressed, such as wheelchairs, and for anticipating future requirements. Please know that by supporting our hospital, you are also supporting the wider community, because we ensure that every resource we receive benefits those we serve. Your timely support has been critical in helping us meet immediate essential needs for both the hospital and the community. In the days ahead, we will remain closely coordinated with you.”

We are sincerely grateful for the response of the EMMS community. Your care and compassion are greatly valued and encourage both affected families and frontline responders as relief efforts continue.