Kathmandu, September 05 (H.S.): More than 84,000 people affected by devastating floods and landslides in Nepal are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have appealed for nearly US$50 million to provide essential relief to the affected communities.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners have launched an appeal for US$49.6 million to deliver life-saving assistance to more than 84,000 people affected by catastrophic flash floods and landslides in northern Nepal. The appeal was launched on Friday.

The four-month response plan, being implemented under the overall leadership of Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), will focus on addressing critical gaps identified by the government and ensuring that essential assistance reaches affected people before the onset of winter.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners are working in coordination with the rescue and relief operations being led by the Nepalese government.

UN Resident Coordinator in Nepal Lila Pieters Yahia said the key priority of the appeal is to ensure that shelter, healthcare, clean water and cash assistance reach the most remote and hard-to-reach settlements before winter sets in. She said the response would be carried out under the leadership of the government.

According to the United Nations, the assistance will provide cash support, food, shelter, clean water, healthcare and other life-saving supplies to people in the worst-affected areas. Humanitarian teams will also work to restore damaged water systems, provide emergency medical services and support vulnerable communities facing the harsh winter conditions.

The UN and its humanitarian partners are coordinating closely with the Government of Nepal to provide immediate relief to disaster-affected people. Particular emphasis is being placed on reaching communities that have suffered the most extensive destruction and remain difficult to access.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar