World Vision is deeply concerned for children in northern
Nepal after a powerful flash flood washed away villages
killing more than 100 people and leaving widespread
devastation in its wake.
Hundreds are still missing
after the wall of water, ice and rock swept through the
Bhotekoshi Valley, north of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.
Search and Rescue efforts are currently underway, but
authorities say the death toll is expected to
rise.
World Vision New Zealand National Director, TJ
Grant, says the aid agency’s staff describe the
devastation caused by the flash flood as “beyond
imagination”.
“Our teams at the scene tell us that
homes have been carried away by the raging floodwaters,
bridges have collapsed, and entire communities have been cut
off without electricity and road access. “Many people remain
unaccounted for, and rescue teams are struggling to reach
affected areas due to the extensive damage and dangerous
conditions.
“Children and families are homeless,
frightened and in distress as they search for those that are
missing and face an uncertain future. They need urgent
support,” he says.
Grant says World Vision is ready to
respond with emergency food assistance, shelter kits and
other relief support.
“We’re deeply concerned for
those affected and we’re working with government
authorities and our local networks to assess needs and
support response efforts.”
Grant says while the
current focus is on the search and rescue operation, World
Vision holds fears for the long-term impact on
children.
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“Displacement, disruption to education,
psychosocial distress and protection risks can have lasting
impacts on a child’s wellbeing and development. World Vision
is committed to working to protect, support and prioritise
children throughout the emergency response and the recovery
phase,” he says.
Grant says this latest disaster
highlights the growing risks facing Himalayan
communities.
Authorities are still working to
determine the exact cause of the flash flood, but Grant says
communities in Nepal’s mountain valleys are living with
more frequent flooding events.
He says rising
temperatures across the Himalayas are contributing to
glacier melt and the expansion of unstable glacial lakes
which increases concern about sudden and destructive
flooding events.
“This disaster is a stark reminder of
the growing vulnerability of mountain communities to
multiple environmental hazards and the urgent need for
emergency support when these disasters occur,” he
says.
New Zealanders can support children and families
affected by the flash flood in Nepal here: www.worldvision.org.nz
