On his visit to the far-west state to observe the damage caused by floods and landslides, PM Deuba mentioned that the MCC was subject to Nepal’s interest.

“The MCC will be endorsed. And I don’t see anything that needs amendment. Fake news and disinformation about MCC have been widespread,” said PM Deuba.

He said that the MCC was nothing more than a grand, claiming that some are trying to create chaos around the MCC endorsement.

The MCC Nepal compact is just a development grant, he said adding, “Why should Nepal reject such generous support?”.

Meanwhile, PM Deuba promised to provide short-term and long-term relief packages for flood victims and draft reconstruction plans in the eastern and western regions.

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In the light of recent floods that affected South Asia, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has released a report highlighting huge loss of children across the region due to the disaster.

16 million children were affected by massive flooding in South Asia, with millions more at risk, informed UNICEF’s latest press release on September 02, 2017. According to the release, all these affected children and their families are in urgent need of life-saving support.

Jean Gough, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, said, “Millions of children have seen their lives swept away by these devastating floods. There is a danger that the worst could still be to come as rains continue and flood waters move south.”

Country-wise Data of Child Victims

Country-wise data in UNICEF’s release shows:

• Around 3 million children (out of the total 8 million victims) in Bangladesh, with an estimated 696,169 houses, 2,292 primary and community schools damaged by floodwaters. Apart from this, more than 13,035 cases of water-borne diseases were also reported
• 680,000 child victims (out of 1.7 million victims) in Nepal, with more than 185,126 homes and 1,958 schools damaged, thus affecting the education of 253,605 children
• Four Indian states in northern India saw 12.33 million children out of the total 31 million victims, with around 805,183 houses (partially or fully) and 15,455 schools damaged, disrupting the education of nearly one million students

As an Immediate Support

In Nepal, UNICEF is working in collaboration with the government departments and other partners to launch and scale-up its relief measures for flood victims. The organization is planning for an intensified immunization programme in 16 flood-affected districts. A special focus will be laid on measures related to control Severe Acute Malnutrition.

UNICEF has so far provided over USD 320,000 worth relief material for Health, Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Child protection and Education activities as an immediate support to Nepal’s flood victims.

In Bangladesh, UNICEF is preparing to provide emergency education services to around 6,000 children immediately. Apart from that, it is also establishing temporary transitional schools, learning spaces and organizing boat transportation for children and teachers for their commute to schools.

UNICEF is also undertaking relief and rescue measures in flood-affected Indian states.

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Recent floods have devastated millions of lives across South Asia. Nepal, in specific, suffered a severe damage to its public, livestock, agriculture, industry, among others.

In this regard, the Nepal Government is already undertaking necessary relief measures and international bodies are gearing up for extending their support to the flood victims.

Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also issued a press release on August 22, 2017, wherein, it informed about its plan to raise funds globally for supporting flood victims.

IFRC Pitches for Global Support

“IFRC and Nepal Red Cross (NRC) are launching a global appeal for about 3.5 million Swiss francs to support 81,000 people living in the most-seriously affected parts of the country. IFRC has provided a start-up loan of 500,000 Swiss francs to ensure that resources are immediately available,” said IFRC in its official release.

Describing the victims’ situation, Jagan Chapagain, Under Secretary General for Programmes and Operations, IFRC said, “This is the worst flooding that parts of South Asia have seen in decades. Entire communities have been cut off. The only way to get aid to some of these villages is by boat and many are running out of food.”

Jagan raised concerns over disease threat among victims. Stating that floodwaters have become a breeding ground for deadly diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria, he also raised suspicion over spread of other diseases like dengue and Japanese encephalitis.

“We are delivering aid, food, water and other vital supplies but this disaster is one of the biggest we have ever faced. We are appealing for global support,” said Mozharul Huq, Secretary General, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society.

The Government of Nepal has also sought international support for relief measures to flood victims.

UK Allocates GBP 400,000 Fund

In a recent move, the Government of United Kingdom (UK) has come forward to extend its support to flood victims.

As a monsoon flood response, the Department for International Development (DFID), UK announced GBP 400,000 fund allocation to the Nepal Red Cross Society, in collaboration with the British Red Cross and International Federation of the Red Cross.

Through this fund, UK aims at ensuring water supply to 13,000 people, food and financial support to 3,000 victims, health-related support to women and child victims.

EU Donates Rs 24 Million Relief Fund

The European Commission has come forward to provide Rs 24.2 million (EUR 200 000) in humanitarian aid funding to the victims affected by floods and landslides across the country. This aid is expected to benefit around 35,000 Nepalese hit by the disaster.

This move by the European Union (EU) is coming after a IFRC’s call for global attention to support flood victims. Through this fund, EU intends to support IFRC and NRC in delivering much-needed assistance to the affected families, said a statement issued by EU on August 22, 2017.

According to the release, hygiene promotion activities are also planned in targeted districts to tackle with water-borne diseases caused by floodwaters.

Japan Provides Rs 23.4 Million Worth Relief Material

The Government of Japan has also provided relief material worth Rs 23.4 million to the Government of Nepal in support of flood victims in the southern plains of Nepal.

“The Japanese Government and Japanese citizens have not forgotten the friendship and compassion given to Japan during the Great East Japan Earthquake in March 2011 and in the Kumamoto Earthquake in April last year by the Government and people of Nepal,” said Masashi Ogawa.

South Korea Announces Financial Aid

In a recent update, the Government of Republic of Korea (ROK) has agreed to Nepal Government’s request to support flood victims.

In this regard, the Government of ROK announced USD 200,000 as humanitarian assistance to Nepal, to the damages caused by floods and landslides across the country.

An official statement in this regard was issued by the Embassy of ROK in Kathmandu, which informed that the Government of ROK’s assistance is expected to contribute to the emergency relief efforts in the affected areas.

NRNA Donates a Million Rupees

The Non-Resident Nepal Association (NRNA) of Thailand has also extended a financial assistance of Rs 1 million to the flood victims of Saptari District on the south-eastern plain in Tarai.

“The amount has been transferred to NRNA Flood Relief Fund,” said NRNA in a statement, informing that the donation amount was handed over to the NRNA International Coordination Council Member Khagendra Raj Dhakal.

NRNA Thailand Treasurer Kanchha Gurung informed that Rs 730,079 would be transferred to the NRNA Relief Fund for relief package distribution and Rs 230,079 to the NRNA Women Welfare Fund to distribute hygiene kits to women victims in Saptari District.

Death Toll Reaches 1200 in South Asia

As of August 25, 2017, the total death toll (due to floods) in Nepal, Bangladesh and India, altogether, increased to 1200 with more than 850 people killed in six Indian states, around 150 people in Nepal and around 134 people in Bangladesh.

Apart from this, more than 90,000 houses in Nepal were badly hit and crops in 10,583 hectares of land have been washed away in Bangladesh with an additional 600,587 hectares partially damaged.

IFRC had earlier released a report, wherein, it said the number of flood-affected people in these three countries crossed 24 million with an estimate of more than 700 death casualties.

According to IFR, over 1,800 Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers are working alongside local authorities to prevent further deaths and help communities withstand and recover from the floods.

Various international and local aid agencies and rescue teams are already undertaking continuous relief measures across the region to save millions of others hit by the disaster.

“People across the region urgently need our help. But their needs are now so immense they will not be met without international support,” says Jagan Chapagain.

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In the light of the flood situation in Nepal, the Office of UN Resident Coordinator Nepal has released a report titled ‘Flooding Response Plan (August 2017-February 2018)’, wherein, it sought global attention for supporting flood victims.

Under the plan, the Office aims at offering humanitarian assistance to around 1.7 million victims hit by the recent floods across 35 districts of the country.

As part of relief measures, the Office informed that the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) is seeking USD 41.4 million to provide immediate humanitarian assistance to support the flood victims over the coming six months, under various sectors including Health, Nutrition, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Food Security, Protection, Shelter, Livelihood, Education and Early Recovery.

Sector-wise Funding Requirements

• USD 8 million assistance separately for WASH (targeting 800,000 people across 13 districts) & Nutrition (to cover 1 million people across 18 districts) and USD 3 million aid for Education sector (to cover 79,000 children and 1,975 teachers) from UNICEF
• USD 6.85 million Food Aid from World Food Programme (WFP) targeting 300,000 people across 10 districts
• USD 4.5 million from Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) targeting 300,000 people across 10 districts
• USD 4.12 million from the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) to support 300,000 population across 5 districts
• USD 3.4 million Early Recovery assistance from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) targeting 1.7 million across 10 districts
• USD 1.78 million Health assistance from WHO targeting 1.7 million population across 30 flood-hit districts
• USD 900,000 Protection assistance from UNFPA targeting 200,000 people across 11 districts
• USD 750,000 assistance from International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) targeting 300,000 population across 7 districts
• USD 100,000 from United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office to support Humanitarian agencies and the Government of Nepal targeting 35 affected districts

Initial Rapid Assessment of Flood Situation

The Office, in its Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA) conducted across 28 districts, concluded that 1.7 million population was affected by the flooding in Nepal, with almost 65,000 houses destroyed, 460,000 people displaced, an estimated 19,000 people currently residing in informal displacements sites including schools and some 40 communities remaining inaccessible.

The recent floods have badly hit the country’s critical infrastructure, said the report, informing that around 80 schools across 28 districts (710 damaged) and 10 health posts (64 partially damaged) were destroyed. Around 64,000 hectares of standing crops have also been destroyed in the 10 worst-affected districts of the country.

According to the report, this situation will affect communities’ livelihood and compromise food security, as food stocks have also been destroyed.

In terms of public health, the report informed that nutrition needs have increased since the onset of flooding with the average rate of global acute malnutrition (GAM) now beyond critical levels.

This situation will likely deteriorate further amongst children under five and pregnant and breastfeeding women without emergency measures, it added.

According to the report, the governmental efforts including deployment of 27,000 security personnel and civil servants for measures and providing more than USD 11.3 million fund assistance could not completely suffice the humanitarian needs caused by the crisis.

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As part of her visit, Koirala distributed various relief materials to the flood victims on behalf of UNFPA.

Post the visit, Koirala took part in a press meet organized by UNFPA in the district headquarters Gaur, where she urged the Government of Nepal to undertake rehabilitation measures for the displaced families at the earliest.

“Our organization is ready to extend all possible support to relieve flood victims from their present woes,” said Koirala.

UNFPA Country Director Julia Valisci expressed UNFPA’s readiness to work in coordination with the Government of Nepal.

Regional Director Narendra Mishra said they are committed to provide necessary relief measures to the women victims.

CPN-MC Donates Rs 3.5 Million to Flood Victims

CPN Maoist Centre’s lawmakers yesterday donated their one-month salaries to the PM Disaster Relief Fund in support to the victims of floods and landslides.

According to Party Chief Whip Rekha Sharma, Party Chair and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal handed over a sum of Rs 3.5 million to the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba yesterday.

Crops Worth Rs 300 Million Destroyed in Saptari

Meanwhile, the Saptari District Agriculture Development Office in its recent survey informed that the floods have inundated at least 15 acres of arable land and 20 acres of paddy field in Saptari District.

According to Senior Officer at the District Agriculture Development Office Bhagirath Yadav, floods damaged paddy and vegetable crops worth Rs 250 million and fish ponds worth Rs 50 million, thus resulting in Rs 300 million worth loss.

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Recent floods affected more than 16 million population in South Asia and above 500 people together in Nepal, India and Bangladesh.

According to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), these floods are turning out to be one of the worst humanitarian crises in years.

“This is fast becoming one of the most serious humanitarian crises this region has seen in many years, and urgent action is needed to meet the growing needs of millions of people affected by these devastating floods. Millions of people across Nepal, Bangladesh and India face severe food shortages and disease caused by polluted flood waters,” said Martin Faller, IFRC Deputy Regional Director.

Martin further informed that one-third of Bangladesh and Nepal were inundated in floods and more than 11 million population were affected across northern parts of India.

Meanwhile, the Secretary General Dev Ratna Dhakhwa opined that the flood situation would likely result in food security challenges. “We fear that this destruction will lead to severe food shortages,” said Ratna Dhakhwa.

Relief Distribution Paces up in Mid-Western Nepal

Relief measures are fastly reaching flood victims of the four worst-hit districts of the mid-western Nepal. Undertaken by the District Natural Disaster Relief Committee, the government authorities are distributing cash, grams, rice grains, clothes and tents, among others to the victims affected by floods and landslides.

Various cluster groups formed under the DNDRC for overseeing education, health and sanitation, rehabilitation and relief distribution programmes have been sent to the villages struck by floods, informed Banke Chief District Officer (CDO) Ramesh Kumar KC.

Disease Break-out in Flood-hit Regions

Public across various flood-hit regions are suffering from severe health issues. The number of patients in the district hospital and other health centers of the district has increased.

Some have reportedly died of snake bite, diarrhea, common cold, among other problems.

According to Chuman Lal Das, Chief of District Public Health Office, patients suffering from diarrhea and common cold, among other diseases, increased in the flood-affected areas of the Siraha District. Health workers could treat patients as there was no dearth of medicines in the health facilities, Das informed.

On the other hand, hundreds of flood victims in Saptari are still waiting for relief packages. According to the locals, rice being distributed through helicopters is running out of stock and they were asked to borrow from their neighbors.

“We are compelled to live in hunger and our children have not eaten properly after the disaster, state presence is negligence,” said a local Bhutiya Devi Ram.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture and Development (MoAD) Secretary Suroj Pokhrel today informed that the Ministry is currently developing an immediate relief package to the flood-hit farmers of Tarai, which will be announced on August 23, 2017.

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As part of relief measures being provided to #NepalFloods2017, various NGOs, private organizations and government bodies, among others came forward to extend their support to the flood victims.

The Nepal Government ramped up its relief measures, authorities distributed food and water packets through helicopters across the worst-hit southern districts and security forces helped those stuck in waters by taking them to rooftops.

The staff of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MoAD) and its affiliated bodies yesterday announced around Rs 12 million contribution for the rescue and relief works. The amount collected will be deposited in the PM’s Disaster Relief fund (PMRF).

Nepal Students Union (NSU) Lamjung has been running a fund-collection campaign since August 14, 2017 and has collected Rs 48,089 till yesterday. NSU Lamjung leader Deepak Adhikari called on locals to support the flood victims of Tarai.

The Nepali Congress (NC) Committee has also decided to donate a month’s salary of its lawmakers to the flood victims. NC has around 207 lawmakers each earning Rs 100,000 per month.

The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) also extended its support by announcing Rs 10 million (including donations from its members and other organizations) in donation, of which, Nepal Young Entrepreneurs Forum donated Rs 1.5 million.

Jhapa-based Nepal Red Cross Society distributed food, water and other materials to almost 800 flood-hit victims of the region. District Chamber of Commerce, Nepal Jaycees and Electricity Entrepreneur Association are among others who participated in relief measures.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) released a notification yesterday prohibiting NGOs and organizations from collecting funds individually in the name of relief measures and directed to go with PMRF if anyone is willing to fund.

Special Relief Fund

In a special meeting, the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) International Coordination Council decided to arrange a special fund to support the flood victims. NRNA President Shesh Ghale and his wife Jamuna Ghale announced Rs 10 million to the relief fund. Ghale also informed that they would meet the victims soon to distribute various relief materials.

Health Experts Warn Disease Threat

According to Nepali health officials, hundreds of flood-hit victims are suffering from various infections because of contaminated drinking water and polluted environment caused by the floods. Fever, diarrheal diseases, conjunctivitis, gastritis and skin-related infections were the major issues seen in common among the victims.

According to District Public Health Office (DPHO) of Banke, hundreds of locals across Kamaiya Danda in Rapti Sonari-6, Tikulipur, Balapur, Phattepur, Baijapur and Kachanapur, are facing similar issues.

“Many have fallen sick after drinking contaminated water. We have dispatched health workers in all the flood-affected areas in the district,” said Khim Bahadur Khadka, senior officer at DPHO Banke.

Locals of Saptari, one of the most-affected regions, are facing serious health challenges. “We have been out on the road without food and clean drinking water for four days. Many of the elderly, expectant and postpartum mothers and children have fallen ill,” said Budhan Mukhiya of Hanumannagar Kulauni.

Despite this situation, victims across Rapti Sonari Rural Municipality, Dudawa, among others failed to undergo necessary treatment as the floods inundated local primary healthcare centers.

Floods Hit Other Parts of South Asia

While the death toll due to floods reached around 245 across various parts of South Asia (parts of northern India, southern Nepal and Bangladesh), Nepal alone registered 120 cases with tens of thousands displaced and hundreds of villages flooded.

Across the Nepal border, around 41 in Bihar (India), 46 in Himachal Pradesh (India), 21 in Assam (India) and 27 in Bangladesh lost their lives in the disaster and more than 10 lakh people found shelter in over 1000 government-arranged relief camps.

According to the state-run Flood Forecasting and Warning Center, around 18 Bangladeshi rivers were heavily flooded and flowing at high-risk levels.

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