Integral has launched a joint Disaster Response for the impact of the recent devastating flooding in Nepal. Thirteen Integral Members[1] are responding together to this crisis, combining their strengths to serve affected communities better. The Nepalese Government has officially declared a flood emergency in 15 municipalities and designated two additional municipalities as impacted, underscoring the scale of humanitarian needs across the affected areas.
On 26th August, a rapid and significant flash flood began in Trishuli River in Tibet, possibly due to glacier collapse, leading to influx in Nepal’s Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts. The latest statistics report that the death toll has reached 1,003 with 3,916 people still out of contact. It is estimated that 65,000 people need emergency WASH support and 22,100 people need protection support [Source here].
Integral Members have staff in Nepal and are supporting well-established local Partners. Teams are conducting needs assessments and are already responding with distributions of food, other relief items and medical first aid.
On the first call for this crisis, Members shared context information and response plans, as well as considered how coordination might best serve this response. Members are already sharing their communication materials which allows other Members to launch fundraising campaigns in their headquarter countries.
Members reported severe access constraints caused by damaged roads, bridges and landslides. Humanitarian needs are extensive and require a multi-sector response, including shelter, food, WASH, health, protection, psychosocial support, education, and livelihoods. There are concerns about water shortages, disease risks and protection issues such as family separation, gender-based violence and human trafficking.
Melissa CEO of Baptist World Aid Australia says: “At Baptist World Aid, we’re grateful to work alongside trusted local Partners who understand their communities and are already responding to urgent needs. Together, we can help ensure assistance reaches people who need it most, while supporting communities as they begin the long road to recovery.”
Melissa continues, “The scale of the devastation in Nepal is immense and requires more assistance than one organisation can provide. By working together through Integral Alliance, Members can share knowledge, resources and connections to strengthen the overall response for communities affected by these devastating floods.”
In the initial stages of an Integral response, operational and communications coordination calls are held as frequently as necessary, so that Members can share information in the critical phase when needs are acute. The Integral online platform enables Members to share photos and stories, response plans and funding needs.
Integral is a global alliance of 23 Christian relief and development agencies that come together to respond in times of disaster. We believe we can serve people better by uniting our collective reach, funding and expertise.
[1] Baptist World Aid Australia, CEDAR Fund (Hong Kong), Mission East (Denmark), Tearfund Australia, Tearfund Belgium, Tearfund Ireland, Tearfund Netherlands, Tearfund New Zealand, Tearfund (UK), Water Mission (US), World Relief (US), World Renew (North America), ZOA (The Netherlands)