In August 2026, catastrophic flash flooding and debris flows struck northern Nepal and southern Tibet, killing hundreds of people and leaving more than 1,400 missing. Floodwaters swept away bridges, roads, buildings, and other critical infrastructure, cutting off communities and making rescue operations and the delivery of medical care extraordinarily difficult.
Direct Relief-supported medical teams from Mountain Heart Nepal and Dhulikhel Hospital are deploying to flood-affected communities with field medic packs and emergency medical supplies that Direct Relief pre-positioned in Nepal before the disaster. Direct Relief is also providing emergency funding to support medical team deployments, helping locally based medical providers move quickly to reach people in areas where damaged roads, bridges, and other infrastructure have made access extraordinarily difficult.
As rescue operations continue, immediate medical needs include trauma and wound care, surgical support, medicines, and resources for emergency medical teams and first responders. In the days and weeks ahead, health risks are expected to grow as communities contend with displacement, damaged water and sanitation systems, impassable roads, and disrupted access to functioning health facilities.
Direct Relief is coordinating with Nepal’s Ministry of Health, hospitals, and local and regional partners and is preparing additional medical shipments for deployment as needs are identified.
Donations to this project will help Direct Relief respond to urgent and emerging health needs in Nepal, supporting local medical teams and helping mobilize medicines, medical supplies, emergency medical backpacks, hygiene kits, and other critically needed resources.
Since 2009, Direct Relief has provided more than $119 million in medical aid to Nepal across 48 partner organizations. That longstanding network, combined with medical resources positioned in the country before the flooding, is helping Direct Relief and its partners respond quickly and remain engaged as communities recover.
