1 September 2026 – UNICEF is scaling up the delivery of critical supplies for children in communities hardest hit by the 26 August flash flood, including Rasuwa and Nuwakot.
With more than 60 years of humanitarian operations in Nepal, UNICEF is co-leading the emergency response for child-protection, water, sanitation, hygiene, nutrition and education.
UNICEF supplies have been delivered by road to Nuwakot, with the Government of Nepal airlifting in UNICEF aid to communities in Rasuwa, which remains cut off by road.
Among the delivery of critical emergency assistance dispatched for children and families so far:
- Hygiene supplies including towels, underwear, toothbrushes, toothpaste, sanitary items, buckets, mugs, water purification drops, soap, and information on water borne diseases
- Malnutrition treatment – Ready to Use Therapeutic Food for children aged under five
- Tarpaulins
This will be followed by further essentials including:
- Newborn kits for families – including towels, clothing, nappies
- Bed nets treated with long-lasting insecticide to protect from mosquito born illness
- Medical tents – high-performance emergency tents
Trained mental health teams have already been deployed including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and psychological counsellors; as well as child protection workers to identify, register, trace, reunify, and provide follow up to unaccompanied and separated children.
UNICEF Nepal has also identified the need for education supplies and temporary classrooms to continue the school term given the destruction and damage at least 19 schools, including eight completely destroyed. An additional five schools are being used as shelter, preventing regular classes for 3000 children who usually attend at those locations.
It is estimated 65,000 people, including 22,100 children have been impacted by the flash flooding, across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Gorkha and Tanahun districts.
UNICEF Australia CEO Tony Stuart said these are the same communities that were among the most affected in the 2015 earthquakes, meaning some children are experiencing the second major disaster in their lifetime.
"With more than 60 years of operating in Nepal and responding to emergencies, our teams are well versed in how to respond to sudden onset disasters such as this, with pre-prepared supplies already in the country and ale to be distributed. UNICEF has a strong line of sight of what will be needed in the months and years to come," Mr Stuart said.
"UNICEF’s investment in preparedness enables access to vital supplies to assist the response such as high-performance medical tents that include solid flooring and insulation, and that will be critical in the long term.
“Children face heightened risk of illness and psychological distress when disasters happen. They can also be at greater risk of violence, exploitation and abuse during times of crisis, so as well as supplies, our mental health and child protection teams provide a critical service.
“UNICEF was in Nepal before this emergency, we will be in Nepal throughout the response and recovery for the 22,100 children in need and we will remain in Nepal working with the Government to support Nepal’s children,” he said.
How Australians can help children and families in Nepal
UNICEF Australia has launched an emergency appeal for Australians to help with relief efforts at www.unicef.org.au/nepal.
$64 could help provide enough therapeutic food for one child to recover from severe malnutrition; $100 could help provide 20,900 water purification tablets; and $500 could help provide hygiene and dignity kits for 7 families, including a bucket and jerrycan for clean water, soap and laundry detergent, reusable menstrual products, a whistle and a torch.
UNICEF has operated in Nepal since 1964 supporting the country's children, who make up 40 per cent of the population with health, nutrition, education and child protection.
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