OCHA Situation Report No. 4
Nepal: Mid and Far Western Floods and Landslides
11 October 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Highlights:

- Relief efforts slow and bottlenecks rise in distribution at the VDC 
level during festival period.

- Relief stocks emptied. WFP seeking US $ 2.5 million to respond to 
immediate food needs.

- Urgent need of food, tarpaulin, mosquito nets and other Non Food Items.

- Increasing trend in cases of eye infections and dysentery.

CONTEXT

Situation Overview

Heavy rainfall from 19-21 September caused severe flash floods and 
landslides in several districts in the Far-West Region (FWR) and parts of 
the Mid-West Region (MWR). An estimated 180,000 people have been affected. 
An estimated 144,000 people have been affected in Kailali and 31,962 
people affected in Kanchanpur; the two most affected districts.

In Kailali, the worst flood-affected VDCs include Dasinhapur, Narayanpur, 
Tikapur, Khailad, Lalbojhi, Bhajani and Thapapur in the south-east corner 
of the district. Landslides in the hilly areas affected access to relief 
distribution and reportedly damaged a number of houses. The VDCs in hilly 
areas remain difficult to reach due to landslides and poor road conditions 
- Sugarkhal and Pandaun VDCs have received little assistance due to access 
difficulties.

In Kanchanpur, the worst flood-affected VDCs are Dekhatbhuli and 
Shankarpur. Other severely affected VDCs include Krishnapur, Parasan, 
Dodhara, Rauteli Bichawa, Rampur Bilaspur, Mahendranagar Municipality. 
Access to the south-eastern flood affected VDCs is possible from Kailali.

Needs and Response

A large number of the affected population were displaced in the immediate 
aftermath of the flash floods. The flood waters receded quickly in most 
areas, enabling many families to return to their place of origin prior to 
the floods only to find their homes, food supplies/rice stores, gardens 
and crops, property and livelihoods damaged or washed away. Water 
inundation damage caused by the floods on infrastructure, private property 
and livelihoods was severe, although the extent of damage remains unknown 
to date. A significant number of flood-affected people also remain 
displaced and in extremely vulnerable situations in terms of health, 
sanitation, hygiene and nutrition. In addition to food aid and drinking 
water, mosquito nets and tarpaulin were also identified as outstanding 
gaps in the relief response.

In the first week after the floods, many flood-affected people were 
displaced and stated that they were compelled to eat less and on the first 
day of the flood and there was a general lack of food. There was also a 
trend of consuming unhealthy food and scourging. Many flood-affected 
families also stated that they were forced to borrow food or borrow money 
to purchase food, in particular in areas where assistance has not reached 
or had run out.

Livelihoods were largely affected as the majority of the floodaffected 
population were dependent on hard labour and working on the crops, which 
are affected. The flood waters largely damaged rice that was stored in 
houses, depriving the flood-affected families of both food security and 
the main income for the year. The canal systems were damaged, which causes 
increased insecurity in production. Animal husbandry was also badly 
affected. Local infrastructure was also affected. Residents and local 
organisations of the flood-affected areas were the first responders in the 
emergency. Immediate support from the government, UN, and I/NGOs followed, 
providing substantial assistance and unwavering support in the relief 
efforts. Nonetheless, many people remain in dire need of emergency 
non-food items, water and sanitation, and health services and many gaps 
remain that need to be addressed to relieve the immediate suffering of the 
floodaffected population.

Assessments:

NRCS Household Survey: The NRCS Household Survey is expected to be 
completed this week in Kailali and Kanchanpur.

Initial Rapid Assessment (IRA): The updated IRA findings summary and IRA 
forms are available upon request and in the Information Centres.

Attachments:
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/retrieveattachments?openagent&docid=47FA900F32553509852574DA006B9606&file=Full_Report.pdf

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