U.S. Provides Assistance for Flood Victims in Nepal and India

On August 18, the Saptakoshi River broke through a retaining wall following heavy monsoon rains, resulting in floods in Sunsari District in southeastern Nepal and Bihar State in northeastern India. Flooding displaced up to 50,000 people in Nepal and affected 2.1 million people in India. In Nepal, the displaced populations took shelter in public buildings, unable to return to flooded areas until the embankment is repaired. Flood waters have blocked Nepal's East-West Highway and disrupted communications systems. In India, floods have stranded more than 1 million people in Supual, Madhepura, and Araria districts, leaving residents without clean drinking water and food.

The Government of Nepal began search and rescue efforts, and Sunsari District officials reported difficulties providing shelter and distributing relief materials. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) responded with food, shelter, and emergency relief commodities, including pre-positioned supplies from a USAID-funded preparedness program implemented by Save the Children/U.S.

As a result, on August 21, U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell issued a disaster declaration due to the impact of flooding in Nepal. In response, USAID is providing $50,000 through USAID/Nepal to Save the Children/U.S. and the NRCS for the local purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies, including blankets and shelter materials, to populations affected by the flooding.

According to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, due to the sudden onset of floods, evacuation activities were slow to start and rescue equipment and boats are in short supply. Flooding has also damaged infrastructure and inundated an estimated 90,000 acres of agricultural land, destroying crops.

As a result, on August 28, U.S. Ambassador David C. Mulford issued a disaster declaration due to the impact of flooding in India. In response, USAID is providing $100,000 through USAID/India to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and Catholic Relief Services to support rescue efforts and the procurement and delivery of emergency relief supplies to populations affected by the flooding, among the worst in fifty years.

USAID will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional support as needed.

For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance programs, please visit: http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.

The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.

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