WASHINGTON, Aug. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On August 18, the
Saptakoshi River broke through a retaining wall following heavy monsoon rains,
resulting in floods in Sunsari District in southeastern Nepal and Bihar State
in northeastern India. Flooding displaced up to 50,000 people in Nepal and
affected 2.1 million people in India. In Nepal, the displaced populations
took shelter in public buildings, unable to return to flooded areas until the
embankment is repaired. Flood waters have blocked Nepal's East-West Highway
and disrupted communications systems. In India, floods have stranded more
than 1 million people in Supual, Madhepura, and Araria districts, leaving
residents without clean drinking water and food.
The Government of Nepal began search and rescue efforts, and Sunsari
District officials reported difficulties providing shelter and distributing
relief materials. The Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) responded with food,
shelter, and emergency relief commodities, including pre-positioned supplies
from a USAID-funded preparedness program implemented by Save the Children/U.S.
As a result, on August 21, U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell issued a
disaster declaration due to the impact of flooding in Nepal. In response,
USAID is providing $50,000 through USAID/Nepal to Save the Children/U.S. and
the NRCS for the local purchase and transport of emergency relief supplies,
including blankets and shelter materials, to populations affected by the
flooding.
According to the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, due to the sudden onset of
floods, evacuation activities were slow to start and rescue equipment and
boats are in short supply. Flooding has also damaged infrastructure and
inundated an estimated 90,000 acres of agricultural land, destroying crops.
As a result, on August 28, U.S. Ambassador David C. Mulford issued a
disaster declaration due to the impact of flooding in India. In response,
USAID is providing $100,000 through USAID/India to the Prime Minister's Relief
Fund and Catholic Relief Services to support rescue efforts and the
procurement and delivery of emergency relief supplies to populations affected
by the flooding, among the worst in fifty years.
USAID will continue to monitor the situation and provide additional
support as needed.
For more information about USAID's emergency humanitarian assistance
programs, please visit:
www.usaid.gov/our_work/humanitarian_assistance/disaster_assistance/.
The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International
Development, have provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for
nearly 50 years.
Public Information: 202-712-4810
SOURCE U.S. Agency for International Development
