The Australian Government is rapidly mobilising consular and humanitarian support in response to the catastrophic floods along the Nepal-China border, including through a $5 million assistance package for affected communities.
We understand at least 39 Australians are among those reported missing. Australian officials are working urgently to confirm their welfare and provide assistance to those affected.
The extraordinary scale of this disaster and the remoteness of the affected region mean immense challenges lie ahead for the response and recovery.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is deploying additional personnel to support Australians affected by the disaster.
In addition to the staff at the Australian Embassy in Nepal, a Crisis Response Team (CRT) member and a Regional Consular Officer have been deployed and are on the ground in Kathmandu. Further regional and CRT surge support are being prepared for deployment.
The Government will send an initial team of three humanitarian response specialists within the next 48 hours to help Australian staff already on the ground.
Drawn from the Australia Assists program, the Rapid Response Team has expertise in humanitarian assessment, logistics, communications and planning.
As part of the response, the Australian Government will provide $5 million in humanitarian assistance to support urgent disaster response and recovery efforts.
The funding will be delivered through established partners to provide support such as food, emergency shelter, clean water and sanitation.
These floods have devastated communities along both sides of the border, sweeping away villages, damaging critical infrastructure, and leaving thousands displaced.
With roads and bridges destroyed, many communities remain isolated and difficult to reach, underscoring the need for rapid humanitarian assistance.
Australia’s assistance includes:
- $2 million to the World Food Programme, which has already dispatched food rations and provided logistics support for Nepal’s emergency response.
- $2 million to Australian NGOs through the Australian Humanitarian Partnership to provide support such as emergency shelter, hygiene kits, blankets, medical support and psychosocial support.
- $1 million to the Emergency Action Alliance to support locally-led recovery and rehabilitation efforts in affected areas.
Australians wishing to donate should visit the Emergency Action Alliance webpage.
