Geneva, 27 June 2013
1. Brief description of the emergency and impact
Torrential rains during the period 16 - 19 June 2013 have caused flash floods and landslides in many parts of western Nepal. According to a situation report issued by the Nepal Red Cross Society, as on 27 June at least 44 people have lost their lives, 12 people are missing and 20 injured. Sixteen districts have been seriously affected, with around 3,200 families displaced and 7,875 families severely affected by the floods and landslides. Many families have lost their homes, personal belongings and livelihood as their cattle and small animals have been swept away. Darchula, Kanchanpur, Kailali and Bardiya districts are the most severely affected areas where 6,654 families have been affected and 2,496 families have been displaced and are currently taking shelter in schools, community buildings or with relatives. Access to these areas is difficult as the road to Darchula has been destroyed in places due to landslides and bridges have been swept away.
2. Why is an ACT response needed?
Many of the floods and landslide affected districts are within the operational area of ACT Alliance Nepal Forum members. ACT members are well known in the area and often requested to assist government relief operations during an emergency.
The monsoon period is only just beginning and more heavy rains are predicted which will most likely exacerbate the situation of those already severely affected by the floods and landslides.