Nepal: FCA and ACT Alliance partners lead appeal for glacial flood response and recovery

Appeal seeks 3.68 million US dollars to reach about 24,250 people in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading 

MORE THAN A MONTH after a glacial collapse unleashed a devastating flash flood down the Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river corridor, thousands of people in Nepal remain stranded, in shock and waiting for recovery. Finn Church Aid (FCA) and its partners are now moving from emergency response to recovery. 

A catastrophe along 200 kilometres of river 

On 26 August 2026, a glacier collapse sent a surge of ice, rock and mud down the valley at high speed, with the wave reported at around 100 metres high. Five districts along the corridor, spanning roughly 200 kilometres, were affected with Rasuwa and Nuwakot the hardest hit. 

Around 1.6 million people have been directly affected. 1,451 are confirmed dead with 5,745 missing and 13,784 rescued with various injuries. The Government of Nepal declared a state of emergency in the affected areas and is still leading recovery and relief efforts, supported by several humanitarian organizations. 

Homes, infrastructure and livelihoods destroyed 

The damage is vast. According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), more than 19,000 private homes are estimated to have been destroyed. At least six to eight sizeable towns along the river have been affected. 

The Ministry of Finance estimates that 4–5 billion US dollars will be needed to rebuild the lost structures, roughly 10% of national GDP. 

Water and sanitation systems were also hit, with wastewater treatment facitilies and water supply projects severely damaged and some of the major hydropower projects also affected. 

Farming communities have suffered heavily with thousands of acres of crops destroyed and livestock killed.  

Children and health services among the hardest hit 

Learning has been disrupted for 9,732 children. Eighteen schools were damaged or buried under thick mud, and 267 students, teachers and others have been reported missing. Seven schools are now being used as holding centres for displaced people. 

Health services have been badly disrupted. At least four community health posts were completely destroyed, two hospitals in towns along the river were disrupted, and two larger hospitals were partially damaged. 

Urgent needs include temporary shelter, safe drinking water, health care, protection, children’s learning, family tracing and reunification, psychosocial support, and restored access to livelihoods and communication. 

ACT Alliance appeal: “From Emergency Response to Recovery” 

FCA Nepal, together with DanChurchAid, the Lutheran World Federation and International Nepal Fellowship (INF) Nepal, has launched an ACT Alliance appeal, seeking 3.68 million US dollars (almost 3.28 million euros) to reach approximately 24,250 people in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading. 

The 12-month appeal begins on 1 October 2026. As of September, 60 per cent of the requested amount had been raised. FCA Nepal, as convener of the ACT Alliance Country Forum, is leading coordination of the response. 

The appeal addresses immediate needs, including water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health care and mental health and psychosocial support. It also provides multisectoral support through cash-based assistance and early recovery of education and livelihoods. 

FCA’s role in the response

FCA will focus on: 

• Non-food items and multipurpose cash assistance to meet urgent needs 

• Winterisation support in temporary shelters as the cold season approaches 

• Temporary learning centres so children can return to education. FCA has long experience and expertise in education in emergencies. 

• Livelihood recovery including market system restoration and coordination within the ACT Alliance response 

For more information, see the full appeal document.