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.
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