Urgent Rotary Humanitarian Appeal – Stand With Rasuwa and Flood-Affected Communities in Nepal
Published by Rtn. Resham Ghimire in News · Saturday 05 Sep 2026 · 7 minutes
Tags: Urgent, Rotary, Humanitarian, Appeal, –, Stand, With, Rasuwa, and, Flood, Affected, Communities, in, Nepal
Tags: Urgent, Rotary, Humanitarian, Appeal, –, Stand, With, Rasuwa, and, Flood, Affected, Communities, in, Nepal
Dear Rotarian Leaders,
Warm Rotary greetings from Nepal.
I am reaching out to the global Rotary family with an urgent humanitarian
appeal following the catastrophic flash flood and landslide disaster that
struck the Rasuwa–Bhote Koshi region of Nepal on 26 August 2026.
What began as a devastating flash flood in the Himalayan border region has
developed into one of the most serious humanitarian emergencies Nepal has faced
in recent years. The disaster has claimed hundreds of lives, left thousands of
people missing, displaced families, destroyed homes and livelihoods, and
severely damaged roads, bridges, hydropower facilities and other critical
infrastructure connecting Nepal with the northern border.
CURRENT SITUATION – AS OF 30 AUGUST 2026
According to the latest available reports from Nepalese authorities and
international news agencies:
- At least 675 people have been confirmed dead in Nepal, while approximately 2,498 people remain missing or unaccounted for.
- More than 3,700 people have already been rescued, while search and rescue operations continue in several severely affected areas.
- The disaster has affected communities across Rasuwa, Nuwakot, Dhading, Chitwan and other areas along the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river corridors.
- Hundreds of foreign nationals and tourists were also affected. 261 foreign tourists have been rescued, while hundreds remain unaccounted for as authorities continue verification and search efforts.
- Entire settlements, roads and bridges have been swept away, leaving some communities extremely difficult to access.
- The Rasuwagadhi border and customs area has suffered extensive destruction, severely disrupting transportation and cross-border trade.
- Hydropower projects and workers along the affected river corridors have also suffered major losses, with some workers still reported missing.
- Thousands of displaced and affected families urgently require food, drinking water, shelter, medicines, sanitation materials and other essential supplies.
- International assessments indicate that approximately 93,000 people may require humanitarian assistance.
- The Government of Nepal has estimated that recovery and reconstruction could require approximately US$4–5 billion.
The humanitarian situation is continuing to evolve, and casualty and
missing-person figures may change as search operations reach remote and
previously inaccessible areas.
THE DEVASTATION ON THE GROUND
The scale of destruction is difficult to understand through statistics
alone.
Entire sections of riverside settlements have disappeared. Roads and bridges
have been washed away. Families have been separated from loved ones. Homes,
businesses, schools and livelihoods have been destroyed.
For many survivors, the immediate challenge is no longer simply finding
shelter—it is finding food, safe drinking water, medicines, sanitation
facilities and a way to rebuild their lives.
Recent ground reports from Rasuwa show the extraordinary scale of
destruction along the Bhote Koshi corridor and the continuing difficulties
faced by rescue teams and local communities.
WATCH THE DEVASTATION – VERIFIED VISUAL REPORTS
We encourage Rotarian leaders and clubs considering support to review the
following visual reports to better understand the scale of the disaster:
- NDTV – Bridge, Houses Gone in Seconds
- NDTV – People, Buses and Buildings Engulfed by Floods
- NDTV – Entire Villages Swept Away
- RTÉ – Aerial Footage from Rasuwa
- Onlinekhabar – Devastation in Rasuwa and Nuwakot
- Hindustan Times – Villages, Roads and Bridges Destroyed
- India Today – Rasuwa Border Flood Footage
- LiveMint – Dramatic Flood and Bridge Collapse Videos
- The Quint – Nepal-Tibet Border Flood Destruction
- Hindustan Times – Satellite Images Before and After the Disaster
A CALL TO THE GLOBAL ROTARY FAMILY
The scale of this disaster is far beyond the capacity of any single Rotary
Club.
It requires coordinated humanitarian action involving the Government of
Nepal, local governments, humanitarian organizations, community organizations
and international partners.
As Rotarians, we have a unique opportunity to mobilize our international
network and support affected communities during this extremely difficult time.
We therefore respectfully appeal to Rotary Clubs, Rotary Districts,
Rotarian leaders, Rotary partners and friends of Rotary around the world to
consider supporting a coordinated humanitarian response for the affected
communities of Rasuwa and other severely affected districts.
Priority areas may include:
- Emergency food and safe drinking water
- Temporary shelter and essential household supplies
- Medicines and basic medical assistance
- Hygiene and sanitation materials
- Support for displaced and vulnerable families
- Assistance for children and affected schools
- Emergency livelihood support
- Support for affected health facilities
- Community recovery and rehabilitation
- Long-term reconstruction and resilience projects
WORKING WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF NEPAL
We fully recognize that the Government of Nepal is leading the national
disaster response, search and rescue operations and recovery process.
Our intention is not to duplicate government efforts or operate
independently of the national response.
Rather, Rotary can complement the government's efforts by mobilizing its
global network, financial resources, technical expertise and goodwill and by
working through authorized local authorities, humanitarian
organizations and trusted Rotary partners in Nepal.
Any international support can be directed toward verified priority needs and
implemented through transparent, accountable and coordinated humanitarian
projects.
FROM EMERGENCY RELIEF TO LONG-TERM RECOVERY
The immediate priority is saving lives and supporting survivors.
However, the challenge will not end when the search and rescue operation is
completed.
Many families have lost homes, businesses, agricultural assets, livestock,
employment and essential infrastructure. Roads and bridges will need
reconstruction. Schools and health facilities will need support. Communities
will need assistance to restore their livelihoods.
The estimated reconstruction requirement of several billion US dollars
demonstrates the extraordinary scale of the challenge.
This creates an important opportunity for Rotary to contribute not only to
immediate relief but also to long-term recovery, rehabilitation, livelihood
restoration, education, health and disaster resilience.
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INTERNATIONAL ROTARY COLLABORATION
We are particularly interested in connecting with Rotary Clubs and Districts
around the world that may be willing to:
- Support an emergency relief initiative
- Co-sponsor a humanitarian project
- Provide financial assistance
- Mobilize relief resources
- Partner with Rotary Clubs in Nepal
- Support affected schools and communities
- Develop a Rotary-led recovery or rehabilitation project
- Explore future District Grant or Global Grant opportunities
- Support long-term community resilience and reconstruction
Even a contribution that may seem small from one Rotary Club can become
significant when clubs and districts across the world come together.
This is more than a request for financial assistance.
It is an invitation to demonstrate international Rotary solidarity—to
show that when communities face a disaster of this magnitude, Rotarians stand
together regardless of borders.
LET US STAND WITH RASUWA
The people of Rasuwa and the affected communities of Nepal need more than
sympathy.
They need support, solidarity and action.
As Rotarians, we are united by the spirit of:
SERVICE ABOVE SELF
Let us come together as one global Rotary family.
Let us stand with Nepal.
Let us support the survivors.
Let us help affected families rebuild their lives.
Let us restore hope where communities have lost almost everything.
Let us turn compassion into action.
Let us support the survivors.
Let us help affected families rebuild their lives.
Let us restore hope where communities have lost almost everything.
Let us turn compassion into action.
If your Rotary Club or District is willing to explore collaboration,
financial support, emergency relief or a joint humanitarian project, I would be
honored to connect and coordinate with you and with relevant Rotary and local
stakeholders in Nepal.
I am also ready to share additional information, verified needs, project
concepts, local coordination details and any other documentation required to
facilitate meaningful support.
Thank you for your leadership, compassion and continued commitment to
humanitarian service.
In this difficult moment, let us remind the people of Nepal that they are
not alone.
Together, through Rotary, we can turn solidarity into meaningful action.
Yours in Rotary Service,
--
With
Warm Regards,
Rtn.
Resham Ghimire
Club Executive Secretary (2025-26) । Rotary Club Of Lamjung
𝗖𝗼-𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗿,
𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁
𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘁-𝗮𝘁-𝗔𝗿𝗺𝘀
𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲,
Rotary District 3292. (Rotary Year 2026–2027)
(Rotary
International District: 3292, NEPAL & BHUTAN)