KATHMANDU — The United Nations and humanitarian partners have launched a $49.6 million emergency appeal to provide life-saving assistance to more than 84,000 people affected by catastrophic flash floods and landslides in northern Nepal.

The disaster, which struck on August 26, devastated communities across the region, destroying homes, roads and other critical infrastructure and leaving thousands of people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The UN humanitarian community said the appeal is aimed at supporting those most severely affected by the disaster.

The emergency response is focused on providing essential supplies and services, including food, clean water, emergency shelter, healthcare and protection assistance for affected communities.

The scale of the disaster has also placed enormous pressure on Nepal’s search-and-rescue operations. According to Nepalese authorities cited by Reuters, more than 1,294 people have been killed, while thousands remain missing following the floods and landslides.

The disaster caused particularly severe damage along the Trishuli River, where floodwaters, rocks, mud and debris swept through communities and infrastructure. Hydropower facilities and access roads were also heavily damaged.

Rescue teams have continued searching for survivors in areas cut off by the disaster. In a dramatic development, two workers were rescued alive from a hydropower tunnel nine days after the disaster struck.

The humanitarian crisis is compounded by the destruction of homes and basic infrastructure. Nepalese officials have estimated that thousands of houses will need to be rebuilt, while overall property, housing and infrastructure losses have reached billions of dollars.

The UN and its humanitarian partners say the immediate priority is to reach people who have lost their homes and livelihoods and to prevent further suffering as recovery efforts begin.

The emergency appeal will support relief operations in the hardest-hit communities and help humanitarian agencies deliver assistance to people who urgently need it.

The disaster is among the most serious natural emergencies Nepal has faced in recent years, with the effects extending beyond immediate loss of life to homes, livelihoods, transportation networks and vital infrastructure.

As search-and-rescue operations continue, the United Nations is urging international support for the emergency response and emphasizing the urgent humanitarian needs of tens of thousands of survivors.

KATHMANDU — At least 22,000 children in Nepal urgently need safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene assistance more than a week after devastating flash floods swept through the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river basin, UNICEF said. The floods damaged water-supply systems across affected districts and destroyed or severely damaged toilets and other sanitation facilities, increasing the risk of waterborne and infectious disease outbreaks.

Families displaced by the disaster are also crowded into host households and temporary holding centres, making it increasingly difficult to maintain basic hygiene and access clean water.

“Every parent in these districts is now making the same calculation several times a day,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal, referring to families’ urgent need to determine where they can obtain water and whether it is safe for their children.

UNICEF expands emergency response

UNICEF has already delivered water, sanitation and hygiene supplies for approximately 19,000 people in Rasuwa and Nuwakot, two of the districts hardest hit by the floods. The emergency supplies include more than 3,800 hygiene kits, 3,300 collapsible 10-litre jerrycans, 3,500 buckets, 3,500 one-litre mugs and 4,000 bottles of water-treatment solution. More than 1,000 tarpaulin sheets have also been distributed.

UNICEF teams are working with Nepalese authorities and humanitarian partners on disease surveillance, hygiene awareness and outbreak prevention as the risk of infectious diseases rises.

Schools also heavily affected

The floods have also disrupted children’s education. UNICEF estimates that at least 19 schools have been damaged, including eight that were completely destroyed and another eight that suffered partial destruction. More than 10,000 school-age children are in need of immediate psychosocial support and access to safe learning spaces.

The damage to water infrastructure, homes and schools has left thousands of families facing an uncertain recovery while emergency teams continue providing essential assistance. Humanitarian agencies say restoring access to clean water and sanitation is particularly urgent because prolonged displacement and overcrowded living conditions can accelerate the spread of disease.

The latest warning comes as Nepal continues to recover from one of its most destructive recent flood disasters, with communities across the affected river basin struggling to rebuild homes, infrastructure and essential services. UNICEF said it will continue working with the Nepalese government and partners to provide life-saving water, sanitation, hygiene and child-protection support to affected communities.