KATHMANDU, AUGUST 30
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released $150,000 from its South-East Asia Regional Health Emergency Fund (SEARHEF) to support urgent health needs in communities affected by the devastating flash floods in Nepal.
WHO South-East Asia Regional Office Officer-in-Charge Dr Nilesh Buddha said the funds would support immediate response priorities and that WHO remained committed to Nepal's response and recovery efforts.
Within hours of the floods on August 26, WHO had dispatched essential medical supplies, including an Interagency Emergency Health Kit capable of meeting the health needs of nearly 10,000 people for three months, along with multipurpose tents.
It later provided surgical masks, gloves, hand sanitisers and other medical supplies based on the needs of affected areas.
According to the latest figures from national authorities cited by WHO, more than 730 people have been killed, nearly 2,500 remain missing and more than 200 have been injured. Seventy-four people are undergoing treatment.
Around 10,000 households in six districts of Bagmati and Gandaki provinces require immediate relief, while several health facilities have been damaged. Four health facilities in Rasuwa have been completely damaged and two in Dhading partially damaged. Hospitals in Dhading and Trishuli have also become inaccessible due to damaged roads.
WHO said it was coordinating with the government and other partners to strengthen disease surveillance, maintain essential health services and address emerging health risks, including injuries, diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses, water- and food-borne diseases and vector-borne diseases.
The agency said displacement, loss of family members, homes and livelihoods could also have significant mental health and psychosocial impacts on affected communities.