We are sharing an emergency appeal published in the infosj.es, the news channel of the Spanish Jesuit Province, calling for solidarity with the communities affected by the devastating floods in Nepal. Through their partners on the ground, the Jesuit network is accompanying those affected and supporting an emergency response focused on their most urgent needs.

On 26 August, severe flooding struck Nepal and the neighbouring Tibetan region, causing widespread damage to homes, bridges and other infrastructure. In Nepal, the floods particularly affected the Rasuwa district, including the communities of Timure and Syabrubesi, before moving south along the Trishuli River. Thousands of people continue to face the consequences of the disaster. According to the latest information available, at least 903 people have died in Nepal and a further five in Tibet, while more than 4,000 people remain unaccounted for on both sides of the border. Damage to roads, communications and electricity supplies is making search-and-rescue operations and access to some affected areas particularly difficult.

The emergency is also having a significant impact on access to education. Nepal’s Ministry of Education, Science and Technology has reported damage to 20 schools in the districts of Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. Across the country, the United Nations estimates that at least 69 educational facilities have been destroyed or damaged, affecting around 19,000 children and young people. In response to the scale of the disaster, Entreculturas and Alboan, two organisations within the Jesuit social and educational network in Spain, have launched an emergency response to support affected communities and help address their most urgent needs.

In Nepal, they are working with the Nepal Jesuit Social Institute–Fe y Alegría (NJSI-FyA), an organisation that emerged following the devastating earthquake that struck the country in 2015. During the earthquake response, almost 45 public schools were repaired or rebuilt, and since 2021 Fe y Alegría has had a formal presence in Nepal, supporting education and community development in rural areas. In the first days of the current emergency, NJSI-FyA has been coordinating with local authorities and other organisations, gathering information about the situation of affected communities and assessing damage to roads and schools. Teams are also carrying out direct assessments on the ground to identify the most urgent needs.

These assessments have highlighted priorities including food, shelter, water, sanitation and hygiene, healthcare, protection and continuity of education. There is also an immediate need for mattresses, blankets and sheets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, clothing, essential medicines, menstrual hygiene products and first-aid kits. In Dhading, an initial emergency response is already being organised, including the distribution of essential relief materials. So far, schools linked to NJSI-FyA have not suffered major direct damage from the floods. However, in districts such as Dhading, where NJSI-FyA operates two schools, and Sindhupalchowk, damage to roads and interruptions to electricity and communications are making travel and contact with some families difficult.

The Jesuit network in Nepal continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with local authorities and other organisations to shape a response based on the needs identified on the ground. The focus is not only on the immediate emergency but also on accompanying communities throughout the different stages of recovery. The effects of a disaster of this scale will last well beyond the first days, and rebuilding communities and infrastructure will require time, resources and sustained support.

Entreculturas and Alboan will continue working with their partners in Nepal to respond to emerging needs and accompany communities as they recover. Their appeal is for continued solidarity so that assistance can reach the people and communities most affected.

Support the emergency response in Nepal:
emergencias-sj.org – Nepal emergency appeal