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Urgent Rotary Humanitarian Appeal – Stand With Rasuwa and Flood-Affected Communities in Nepal

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Urgent Rotary Humanitarian Appeal – Stand With Rasuwa and Flood-Affected Communities in Nepal

Rotary Club of Reading – People of Action in Our Community
Published by Rtn. Resham Ghimire in News · Saturday 05 Sep 2026 · Read time 7 minutes
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:

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.

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)


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