Ways to Give
There are many ways you can help ShelterBox bring emergency shelter to people that need it: donations, fundraising, joining our book club, and so much more!
Working with our partners Islamic Relief and Rotary in Nepal to distribute household items and emergency relief in Bhotekoshi, Nepal.
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What you need to know
- A major flash flood struck northern Nepal on August 26th, destroying homes, roads, bridges and vital infrastructure.
- The flood was triggered by a glacier collapse near the Nepal-Tibet border, sending mud, ice and rock into the Bhote Koshi River.
- As of 9 September, at least 1,375 people have been killed and more than 5,000 remain missing.
- More than 85,000 people have been affected across flood-hit districts.
- Around 7,500 private buildings have been damaged, and more than 3,600 displaced people are living in temporary sites in Rasuwa and Nuqakot.
- Government-led search and rescue efforts have mobilised more than 20,800 personnel across affected areas.
- 45 suspension bridges and 35 road bridges have been destroyed, cutting off vital access routes and making it difficult to reach affected communities with support.
What is happening in Nepal?
On August 26th, devastating flash floods swept through northern Nepal, affecting the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading near the border with Tibet.
Homes, roads, bridges and buildings were swept away, while key infrastructure, including power facilities, suffered significant damage. Communities across the mountainous region have been cut off, making rescue efforts and access to support more difficult.
The sudden surge of water was caused by a glacier collapse roughly 5,200 metres high in the Himalayas near the Nepal-Tibet border. Mud, ice and rock plunged around 1,200 metres into the Bhote Koshi River, triggering a powerful flood that raced downstream through communities in both Nepal and Tibet.
As of 9 September, at least 1,375 people have died and more than 5,000 remain missing. More than 13,600 people have been rescued, while over 85,000 people have been affected across flood-hit districts.
Government-led search and rescue efforts have mobilized more than 20,800 personnel across affected areas. However, difficult terrain, damaged infrastructure and continuing flood risks are complicating relief efforts.
The floods have struck communities that were already among the most vulnerable in Nepal. Around three in four affected people were living in areas where people already faced challenges accessing livelihoods, services and support before the disaster.
According to Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), around 7,500 private buildings have been damaged and more than 3,600 people are living in displacement sites across Rasuwa and Nuwakot. The destruction of 45 suspension bridges and 35 road bridges has further restricted access to many communities.
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Distribution of household items and emergency relief in Bhotekoshi, Nepal.
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How is ShelterBox responding?
ShelterBox is working alongside local and international partners to support communities affected by the floods.
Together with partners including Islamic Relief, Rotary and People In Need (PIN), we have been providing shelter and essential aid items to families whose homes have been damaged or destroyed.
Support has included distributing family tents, tarpaulins, sleeping mats, rope, pillows, solar lights, winterisation kits and high-thermal blankets.
After flooding, shelter is often one of the most urgent needs. Having a place to stay can help families find protection from the elements, create privacy, store belongings and begin rebuilding daily routines while longer-term recovery gets underway.
Helicopters are transporting ShelterBox and People In Need aid supplies to remote communities cut off by flood damage in northern Nepal.
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Reaching some communities has been particularly challenging because damaged roads and collapsed bridges have limited access. In several locations, aid has been transported by air before being distributed to affected communities.
As assessments continue, ShelterBox and partners are working to understand longer-term shelter needs and support communities as they move from immediate response towards recovery.
Watch our latest response update video below.
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Aftermath of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal (2015). Image: Emily Whitfield-Wicks.
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Has ShelterBox responded in Nepal before?
ShelterBox responded in Nepal after a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck the country in April 2015, destroying hundreds of thousands of homes and leaving many families without safe shelter. This was followed by a second major earthquake in May 2015.
Working alongside Rotary, Nepal Red Cross, Asal Chhimekee Nepal and other local partners, we supported almost 68,000 people with emergency shelter and essential aid items. We also provided training and technical guidance to help families use shelter kits and rebuild stronger, more durable homes.
The response highlighted the importance of both immediate shelter and longer-term recovery support, helping communities begin rebuilding their lives after one of Nepal’s deadliest disasters in recent history.
A ShelterBox team during our 2015 response in Nepal after the devastating earthquake.
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How to support people after disaster
When disaster strikes, families can lose their homes, belongings and sense of security in a matter of moments.
Your support helps ShelterBox provide emergency shelter and essential aid to people affected by disasters like floods in Nepal and around the world. It also helps us prepare before disaster happens, so support can reach families when they need it most.
Donate today and help provide shelter and essential aid to families affected by disaster, conflict and climate crisis, wherever the need is greatest.
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