AUGUST 19, 2014 LITTLE ROCK, Ark.
Days of continuous rainfall has caused major flooding in parts of India and Nepal and the rising waters are beginning to affect Heifer project areas in the latter of the two countries, Heifer Nepal staff reported to Heifer International headquarters early Tuesday.
"Torrential rainfall and flooding has impacted many parts of Nepal in the past few days," said Sumnima Shrestha, communication and resource mobilization manger for Heifer Nepal. "Heifer project areas are also inundated by the flood water with [a] few deaths and left lots of residents homeless."
Shrestha told Heifer International headquarters staff that flooding is now affecting four districts where Heifer has project activities: Banke, Bardiya, Dang and Surkhet. The worst of the flooding seems to be in the Banke District where eight village development committees have been formed. The Rapti and Man Khola rivers have both overflowed their banks.
Heifer Nepal staff is in the process of collecting detailed information on the actual number of project families displaced, the number of livestock that could have been swept away or killed and other pertinent information, Shrestha said. That information will come in as soon as it is known.
Shrestha did say that two Heifer project staff members have lost their homes.
An article in the New York Times credited Nepal's National Emergency Operation Center with saying the flooding has killed more than 105 people in Nepal, displaced 22,000 and damaged more than 11,000 homes.
Though Heifer is not a relief organization, as soon as we know the extent of the damage to our projects, we will work to supplement the work of relief organizations to help our farmers recover. Please help our farmers by donating to the Disaster Rehabilitation Fund that sets aside money for these kinds of situations.
About Heifer International:
Heifer International’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. For 70 years, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 30 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For more information, visit www.heifer.org, read our blog, follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or call 1-888-5HUNGER (888-548-6437).