84 Metric Tonnes of Humanitarian Supplies Arrive in Kathmandu as UNICEF Steps Up Flood Relief for Nepal’s Children.

KATHMANDU:

A flight carrying 84 metric tonnes of critical humanitarian supplies landed in Kathmandu on Friday, bringing urgently needed assistance for thousands of children and families affected by devastating flash floods in Nepal’s Bhotekoshi-Trishuli river basin.

The emergency shipment was supported by European Union Humanitarian Aid and dispatched by UNICEF from its global supply and logistics hub in Copenhagen. The supplies are being transported to some of the worst-affected districts as humanitarian needs continue to grow following the floods.

Thousands of children and families have been left in urgent need of assistance after losing homes, personal belongings and access to essential services. Damage to schools, health facilities, roads, water systems and other critical infrastructure has further disrupted daily life and increased risks to children and vulnerable families.

Emergency supplies for health, water and education

The humanitarian cargo includes a range of lifesaving and essential supplies designed to address immediate health, sanitation, protection and education needs.

Among the supplies delivered are acute watery diarrhoea (AWD) kits and diagnostic equipment, which will help health workers detect and respond to potential outbreaks of waterborne diseases. The shipment also contains water tanks, hygiene kits and water-treatment supplies to help communities regain access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation.

The cargo further includes tents, winter clothing kits for infants and children, and learning materials, providing support for families who have been displaced and children whose education has been interrupted by the disaster.

“These supplies are arriving at a critical moment for children and families affected by the floods,” said Alice Akunga, UNICEF Representative in Nepal.

“Thousands of children have seen their lives turned upside down in a matter of minutes. Many have lost their homes, their classrooms, and their sense of normalcy. This shipment will help us deliver urgently needed support and reach children and families with services that protect their health, wellbeing and future,” she said.

Relief reaches worst-hit districts

Dozens of trucks have been mobilized to transport the emergency supplies to some of the hardest-hit communities in Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Dhading districts.

UNICEF teams are coordinating with government authorities and humanitarian partners to ensure that the supplies reach communities facing the greatest needs.

The relief items are expected to help families secure safe water, strengthen disease prevention measures and support children’s continued learning. They will also provide frontline health and nutrition workers with essential tools to identify and assist vulnerable children and mothers.

EU pledges continued humanitarian support

The European Union said it would continue to stand with communities affected by the floods and emphasized the growing need to strengthen disaster preparedness as climate-related risks increase.

“The EU stands with the people of Nepal in the aftermath of these devastating floods,” said Thomas Millar, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. at the EU Delegation to Nepal.

“As climate change increases the risks of floods, landslides and other disasters, we are supporting communities with essential humanitarian assistance when disaster strikes, while strengthening preparedness, early warning systems and local response capacities to help save lives and build resilience for the future,” he said.

UNICEF expands emergency response

Since the floods struck, UNICEF has been working with national and local authorities to provide emergency assistance using supplies that had been pre-positioned in Nepal ahead of disasters.

The response has included the distribution of health and hygiene supplies, water-purification materials and other emergency items. UNICEF has also been providing psychosocial support to children and caregivers and establishing child-friendly spaces equipped with recreational materials for children affected by the disaster.

These efforts are intended not only to address children’s immediate needs but also to help them recover from the psychological and social impacts of the disaster.

UNICEF said the latest shipment will significantly strengthen its ability to respond as humanitarian needs continue to rise across flood-affected areas.

Continued support needed for recovery

Akunga said international assistance and continued funding would remain essential in the coming weeks and months as families begin the long process of recovery.

“The generosity of our partners, including the European Union Humanitarian Aid, is helping us move quickly when children need support most,” she said.

“Continued support is essential to help children recover, stay healthy, return to learning, and rebuild their lives in the weeks and months ahead. As the scale of the disaster is enormous, and the needs remain significant, every day matters,” she added.

The arrival of the 84-tonne shipment marks a significant step in the ongoing humanitarian response, providing essential supplies at a time when flood-affected communities are struggling to restore basic services and protect children from disease, displacement and further disruption.

With extensive damage reported across affected areas and humanitarian requirements continuing to evolve, UNICEF and its partners are maintaining emergency operations while working with national and local authorities to support recovery and strengthen resilience against future disasters.