The United Nations has appealed for nearly $50 million to assist more than 84,000 people affected by catastrophic flooding in Nepal, warning that winter is approaching rapidly.
The floods, triggered by a glacial mountain collapse along the China-Nepal border on August 26, killed more than 1,300 people and left over 5,600 others missing across the two countries.
“Time is against them,” the UN office in Nepal said, warning that many survivors had lost essential resources needed for daily life.
The UN and its humanitarian partners said the funds would support the provision of cash, food, shelter, clean water, healthcare and other life-saving assistance to the worst-affected communities.
The floods swept through several mountainous districts, destroying roads, bridges and hydropower dams, while leaving some communities near the epicentre cut off.
The UN also warned of rising health risks in displacement centres, with authorities monitoring cases of fever and diarrhoea.
It said human remains and thousands of dead livestock remained buried in the debris, increasing the risk of outbreaks of communicable diseases.
“Families whose homes are gone need durable shelter in weeks, not months,” the UN said.
A preliminary UN assessment estimated that building damage from the floods in Nepal alone stood at about $158 million. It warned that total losses, including damage to roads, bridges and farmland as well as humanitarian costs, would be significantly higher.
Nepal has estimated that the overall reconstruction bill could run into billions of dollars.
