UN Agencies Prepare Response To Nepal Floods

UN Agencies Prepare Response After Devastating Rains In Nepal

United Nations agencies are rushing aid to Nepal following recent monsoon rains that spawned flooding and mudslides in the western part of the country.

In order to determine how best to direct assistance, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is preparing a flash appeal, while the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is pre-positioning relief supplies, officials told a press briefing in Geneva today.

Michael Bociurkwi of UNICEF said relief supplies, including tarpaulins, blankets and oral rehydration salts, are being sent to hard-hit districts. The agency has also sent two trucks with water purification materials, household utensils and other relief supplies to the western town of Nepalgunj.

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), parts of western Nepal received 310 millimetres of rain in 24 hours on Saturday, something that has not occurred since 2000. The rains have subsided but are expected to return after Friday or Saturday, the agency said.

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